No lessons learnt: Ghats of Yamuna to be re-tiled

NEW DELHI: Delhi seems not to have learnt its lesson despite repeated flooding of the Yamuna banks, experts said, as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday said it plans to restart repair and maintenance work at Asita and Vasudev ghats of the Yamuna.

- Snehil Sinha

Heavy and intense spells of rainfall until September 6 caused the Yamuna to swell beyond the danger mark and submerge large portions of the floodplains, submerging DDA's riverfront development projects of landscaped parks, cycling tracks and ghats.

The inundation not only damaged recent stone and brickwork, but also uprooted plantations and washed away decorative installations, such as signboards, small sculptures and pathways. Several stretches of brick paving cracked under the weight of receding water, while accumulated silt buried newly laid lawns.

Experts said that the recent inundation was not "flooding" but "river backflow" due to encroachment of its floodplains.

The repair project

Officials said repair works were necessary to restore public spaces, which attract visitors throughout the year.