New Delhi: The Delhi government has approached the World Bank for financial and technical support to implement the city’s ambitious drainage master plan, aimed at modernizing the capital’s drainage infrastructure and addressing chronic waterlogging issues.
High-Level Meeting with World Bank Officials
According to officials, a high-level meeting was recently held in Delhi with World Bank representatives. During the meeting, the government outlined the roles of key stakeholder agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department, and Public Works Department (PWD), in executing the drainage master plan.
“The World Bank was informed of the project’s estimated implementation cost, which is approximately ₹57,000 crore,” a senior PWD officer said.
Detailed Master Plan Shared
The Delhi government shared detailed project reports (DPRs) covering the city’s three major drainage basins: Najafgarh, Barapulla, and Trans-Yamuna. The plan, unveiled in September last year, is designed to meet Delhi’s drainage needs over the next 30 years.
The project proposes a phased implementation over five years across the city, aiming to:
- Reduce waterlogging episodes by 50% in the next three years
- Decrease flood-related accidents by 30% in the next five years
Modernizing Delhi’s Drainage System
The drainage master plan takes into account slopes, low-lying areas, and the limitations of the current infrastructure to improve drainage efficiency. It is the first comprehensive drainage plan since 1976, when Delhi had a population of 60 lakh. Today, with nearly 2 crore residents, the existing drainage system is under severe pressure.
“World Bank representatives were requested to review the DPRs in detail and provide financial and technical assistance for timely and effective implementation of the master plan,” the PWD official added.
Importance of World Bank Support
The World Bank typically provides funding for large-scale infrastructure projects in developing countries. Delhi’s drainage master plan is expected to significantly reduce waterlogging, enhance urban resilience against floods, and improve overall city planning.
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