Delhi Plans 300km Drainage Network Overhaul to Cut Waterlogging by 50 Per Cent

The Delhi government is set to remodel 300 kilometres of its drainage network in the upcoming financial year as part of the first phase of a comprehensive drainage master plan, officials said on Tuesday. The initiative aims to modernise ageing infrastructure and address chronic waterlogging across the capital. The large-scale revamp will be undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD), with budgetary requirements to be submitted to the government following recent pre-budget discussions.

The Drainage Master Plan, unveiled by the PWD in September last year, has been designed to meet the city’s drainage needs for the next 30 years. It proposes implementation over five years in two phases, with the objective of reducing waterlogging incidents by 50 per cent within three years and flood-related accidents by 30 per cent within five years. The total estimated cost of executing the plan stands at ₹57,362 crore, making it one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure upgrades in the city.

According to officials, several remodelling projects in identified waterlogging hotspots have already received administrative approval. Tenders have been floated for works in Azadpur, the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road stretch, and the Nangloi and Khanjawala areas. Authorities said the focus is on upgrading connected drainage stretches in a planned and systematic manner to eliminate longstanding gaps in the network rather than addressing isolated segments.

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In North Delhi, remodelling projects have been initiated in Model Town-II, Model Town-III and along Kushal Cinema Road. A fund allocation of ₹48.13 crore has been approved for these works, with additional roads under evaluation for inclusion in the first phase. Officials said the approach is intended to improve outflow efficiency and prevent backflow during periods of heavy rainfall.

The master plan incorporates detailed assessments of topography, including slopes and natural depressions, as well as the limitations of the existing drainage infrastructure. By factoring in these variables, planners aim to create a technically robust framework capable of handling projected increases in rainfall intensity and urban expansion over the coming decades.

Separately, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department is undertaking parallel works to strengthen rainwater management in the city. These include the revamp of 13 major drains and the construction of 18 roads and bridges to improve connectivity and water discharge capacity. Together, officials say, the coordinated efforts are expected to significantly mitigate recurring flooding and waterlogging challenges in the national capital.

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