Munak Canal in Delhi Faces 50,000 MT Waste, Govt Plans Cleanup

Authorities in Delhi revealed on Monday that nearly 50,000 metric tonnes of garbage have piled up along the 25-kilometre stretch of the Munak Canal within the city, prompting the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department to issue a tender for urgent cleanup. The accumulated waste, totalling 48,782 metric tonnes and consisting mainly of silt and municipal solid waste, has clogged the vital waterway, which serves as a primary source of drinking water for millions in the capital. Officials stressed the need for immediate action to prevent environmental degradation and ensure uninterrupted water flow.

The department plans to engage a private contractor to excavate and remove the debris, with the firm responsible for transporting it to designated landfill sites. "The contractor will clean all the waste accumulated along the banks and have the responsibility to transfer it to landfill sites," an I&FC official told PTI.

The tender specifies a 75-day timeline—about two and a half months—for completion, at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. This intervention forms part of broader efforts to rehabilitate the canal, which has long suffered from urban encroachment and improper waste disposal by nearby communities.

The Munak Canal, a 102 km lifeline originating in Haryana, was constructed in the 1980s to minimise seepage losses from the ageing Western Yamuna Canal and deliver treated water efficiently to Delhi's treatment plants. However, years of neglect have turned sections into dumping grounds, exacerbating pollution risks.

In April, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally inspected the canal, directing officials to accelerate drain desilting and develop comprehensive plans for water conservation and purification. Her directives also included building roads along both banks to improve access and security.

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Beyond cleanup, the government have ambitious redevelopment proposals for the canal. A Rs 3,000 crore elevated corridor spanning 20 km from Inderlok to Bawana in northwest Delhi is in the works, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the densely populated Outer Delhi region. The structure will incorporate solar panels over the canal to generate renewable energy, alongside recreational features like open parks and walkways.

These initiatives, if realised, could transform the canal from a polluted eyesore into a multifaceted urban asset, balancing water security with sustainable development. Environmental experts, however, urge stricter enforcement against illegal dumping to sustain long-term gains.

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