Delhi PWD begins preliminary work redeveloping 18-km stormwater drain along Rohtak Road to arrest waterlogging

The drainage system along NH-10, starting from the Kirari Suleman Drain near the Nangloi Railway Metro Station and extending to Hiran Kudna, has become “rudimentary and obsolete”. This decline is primarily due to the rapid growth of residential colonies and industrial areas on both sides of the road.

“Due to growing residential cum semi-commercial and industrial areas on both sides of the road, smooth flow of surface runoff has been blocked and hindered because of overloading, intermittent obstructions and damages,” said an official.

Officials said that due to this, the existing drainage system has become ineffective/inadequate, and continuous overflow from it has damaged the service road and main road at many locations very badly, causing traffic congestion, discomfort to the road users, and also air pollution due to dust and traffic congestion.

An internal study by the PWD revealed that the current drains on this road have widths ranging from 1 metre to 1.5 metres. In contrast, the proposed new drain will have an internal width that varies from 1.2 metres to 3 metres. Officials said the stretch is a significant route for people living in the outer parts of the city, especially in Tikri border and Nangloi, as it connects to central Delhi, merges with Ring Road, and provides connectivity to Haryana.

“When the rains start, the stretch sees heavy waterlogging, and due to the poor condition of this drain, several residents and students living around this area lose their precious working hours and take leave from work and college due to waterlogging and traffic congestion,” said an official.

PWD officials said the project’s key aim is to end waterlogging and decongest traffic in this section. “Tenders have also been issued for hiring a consultancy who will study the area and submit drawings and a plan,” said an official.