New Delhi, April 10 The Delhi government has removed about 14 lakh metric tonnes of silt from drains by March, Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Friday.
The minister was inspecting pre-monsoon drain desilting work near the Barapullah and Delhi Gate drain being carried out by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
"From day one, our government has been working to ensure that drain desilting work is being carried out properly. We plan to increase our target of silt removal this year," Singh said.
Last year, we removed approximately 20 lakh metric tonnes of silt from all the drains. This year, we target to remove 28 lakh metric tonnes of silt, he said.
"Out of the 77 identified drains, nearly 50 per cent desilting has already been completed, with over 14 lakh metric tonnes of silt removed so far," the minister added.
According to officials, the department has set a target of 28 lakh metric tonnes, and work is being carried out continuously to meet this goal within established timelines.
"The Delhi Gate drain, which had remained covered with slabs for nearly 40 years, is now being opened up for thorough cleaning. For decades, the covered structure had severely restricted proper desilting, contributing to repeated waterlogging in nearby areas," Singh added.
The minister further informed that desilting of the Delhi Gate drain is 70 per cent complete, with over 21,000 metric tonnes of silt removed so far.
"At the Barapulla drain, desilting work is nearing completion, with 78 per cent work done, removing around 31,000 metric tonnes of silt," he added.
A day earlier, while reviewing monsoon preparedness, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had directed all departments to complete desilting before June 30 and ensure that the removed silt is transported to designated sites.