SDMC and PWD at loggerheads over de-silting Barapullah drain

As only two channels of the drain are working presently, the sewage water flows back and gushes into the houses of people living in residential colonies in the <g data-gr-id="53">low lying</g> areas of Nizamuddin East and West, Siddharth Nagar Extension, Pant Nagar and Jangpura and even a three to four hours’ rain can create a complete mess for nearly 1.5 lakh Delhiites living in this belt.

The 23-kilometre long drain originates somewhere in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area and merges in the Yamuna via South Delhi. As it is one among the major drains of the Capital, it carries a huge quantity of sewage discharged by the Delhi Jal Board. In addition to this, the drain carries household wastes and effluents of a big chunk of South Delhi as sewer lines and drains are directly connected with it.

With <g data-gr-id="46">construction</g> of Barapullah flyover, lakhs of <g data-gr-id="47">tonne</g> of construction debris was dumped into the drain. Both the authorities, at the time of construction, had assured to clear the materials filled in the drain but later failed to execute the work, passing the buck on each other. Pile-ups of solid waste not only <g data-gr-id="42">chocked</g> the drain but also blocked <g data-gr-id="45">majority</g> of channels which release water into the Yamuna. 

“Despite tall claims of carrying de-silting work properly, only two channels are functioning. The remaining 10 are almost closed as debris and mud have completely blocked them. On one side, the agencies claim to clean the drain by removing the debris, on the other side huge pile-ups can be witnessed at various junctions,” said Farhad Suri, Leader of Opposition in the SDMC and local councillor of the area.  

Suri said due to <g data-gr-id="38">closure</g> of the chambers, sewage water is flowing back and gushing into the drains connecting residential colonies. 

“Since 10 of 12 channels are blocked, the waste from the sewer lines remain stuck within the channels forming small islands of debris. This disrupts the smooth passage of the waste substance to the drain.  The Barapullah nullah has turned into a flood-prone area while the people of Delhi are at the receiving end,” Suri added.