Capital ramps up desilting efforts

Ahead of monsoon, NDMC to install rainwater harvesting systems in 27 flood-prone areas

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi

WITH just three months to go before the onset of monsoon, civic authorities in the capital are ramping up efforts to desilt the city's drains in order to mitigate urban flooding. Authorities plan on using advanced technology, enforcing stricter accountability measures and introducing long-term strategies for effective drainage maintenance.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has launched a pilot project to desilt a 200-metre covered drain near Dayal Singh College using drones and robotic equipment. The site is inaccessible to traditional machinery, making it difficult to assess silt buildup. The 1.7 crore project's tender will open on March 24, with work set for completion by June 30.