New Delhi: The Delhi government has granted financial approval for three major drain remodelling projects in north Delhi, with a combined outlay of over ₹125 crore, in a move aimed at addressing chronic waterlogging in the area.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the projects are part of the broader Drainage Master Plan 2025 and are designed to provide long-term relief in areas that witness severe flooding during the monsoon.
According to officials, the works will be executed in accordance with the recommendations of the drainage master plan unveiled last year, which lays out a structured roadmap to overhaul the Capital’s stormwater infrastructure.
“As laid down in the Drainage Master Plan, these projects form part of an integrated effort to resolve long-standing waterlogging issues in North Delhi. The focus is on remodelling connected stretches in a systematic manner rather than relying on temporary fixes,” the minister said in a statement.
The largest of the three projects involves remodelling the stormwater drain from Azadpur H-Point to Mukarba Chowk on Mall Road Extension. The stretch spans 7.74 kilometres and has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹33.11 crore.
Another project along the Mall Road Extension will cover the 0.81-kilometre stretch from Camp Chowk to Azadpur H-Point, for which ₹44.38 crore has been approved.
Local traders say the move is overdue. “Azadpur has a large drain, but every monsoon we face severe waterlogging, especially on the main road and near the Jahangirpuri Industrial Area. If the drainage system is properly remodelled, it will bring major relief,” said Nishant Gulati, a trader at Azadpur Mandi.
The third project will focus on Model Town-II, Model Town-III and Kushal Cinema Road, where drainage infrastructure has long been flagged as inadequate. The PWD has approved ₹48.13 crore for remodelling drains across an approximately 8-kilometre stretch in these areas.
Residents say the problem worsens during heavy rain. “In Model Town-III, waterlogging is frequent and at times sewer water mixes with rainwater during the monsoon,” said Sanjay Gupta, president of the local Residents’ Welfare Association.
The Drainage Master Plan 2025, unveiled in September last year, is designed to meet Delhi’s drainage requirements for the next three decades. The citywide plan, estimated to cost ₹57,362 crore, is proposed to be implemented over five years in two phases.
Officials have said the plan aims to reduce waterlogging incidents by 50 per cent over the next three years and cut flood-related accidents by 30 per cent within five years.
The latest approvals mark the first set of major works under the master plan in north Delhi, with the government positioning the projects as a shift from reactive, patchwork measures to a more durable and coordinated drainage strategy.
