Desilting exercise in Delhi to begin on Apr 15: PWD minister

Ahead of rainy season, the public works department of the Delhi government has planned to launch a two-month exercise to desilt the city's drains from April 15, a move intended to prevent waterlogging on roads.

The department has set a target of completing desilting works by June 15.

In a written reply to a question asked by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta in the Assembly, PWD Minister Satyendar Jain said the department is inviting tenders for the desilting works.

"The Public Works Department is inviting tenders for desilting of drains and the target of starting the work is April 15, 2018," the minister told the House.

Delhiites have to face waterlogging problem during every monsoon. There are around 165 major drains in the city.

Last year, the desilting of drains had caused tussle between the government and bureaucracy, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking action against the then PWD Secretary Ashwani Kumar for not obeying his order over desilting of drains.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal had also formed a high-level committee to look after desilting of drains and open manholes in the national capital.

The committee would coordinate with various agencies for the desilting work so that they did not end up passing the buck among each other.