NGT strict on cleaning of Delhi's drains, sought report from I&FCD!
Just 3 days after returning to power in delhi after 27 years, the process of asking questions about the responsibilities of the bjp government has also started. This matter is not political but related to administrative and legal responsibilities, regarding which the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) of the delhi government to complete the work of removing silt from 24 major drains of delhi within the stipulated time.
According to the TOI report, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also ordered the Additional Chief Secretary of I&FCD to file an affidavit in this regard by february 25. NGT has asked I&FCD to assure through its affidavit that the work of removing silt from 24 drains will be completed within the stipulated time frame. Also, it will be ensured that these drains do not flood or overflow during the next monsoon.
Cleaning of Najafgarh drain is difficult in stipulated time
Actually, I&FCD is responsible for removing silt from Delhi's drains and its maintenance. Currently, I&FCD has informed NGT that it plans to completely clean 23 drains by 31 May 2025. Whereas the Najafgarh drain will be cleaned by 30 june 2027. Departmental officials have informed NGT that out of the total 12,78,478 metric tonnes of silt present in these 24 drains, only 2,23,167.88 metric tonnes of silt had been removed till february 14. Various petitions, including a petition by Nizamuddin West RWA, were filed in NGT regarding Barapullah and its tributary drains. Residents had claimed that due to the lack of cleaning of these drains, many areas of South delhi get waterlogged during monsoon.
On this issue, NGT has been told that if the work of desilting is not completed by I&FCD within the time limit, then this year's monsoon will start. In such a situation, the residents of the colonies from which these drains flow may have to face the problems of flood or waterlogging during the rainy season like last year. On this argument of Nizamuddin West RWA, the bench headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava of NGT said in the order given on february 21, "It is necessary that the work of desilting these 24 drains should be completed within the time limit given by I&FCD."
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