Fri May 16 18:41:50 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered the completion of all drain desilting by May 31st to prepare for the monsoon season and prevent urban flooding. Progress is at 66.29%, and modern machinery is being deployed to accelerate the process. The city has implemented a comprehensive pumping system with 190 pumps deployed across various locations to combat waterlogging. Gupta emphasized coordination between departments to minimize inconvenience to citizens during the monsoon. The directive follows a history of monsoon-related waterlogging in Delhi and an NGT order to complete desilting.

**News Article:**

**Delhi Races Against Time to Prevent Monsoon Flooding**

**New Delhi – May 17, 2025** – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has issued a firm directive to city officials to complete the desilting of all drains by May 31st, a move aimed at preventing the urban flooding that plagues the capital during the monsoon season. This comes after a review meeting revealed that 66.29% of the desilting process has been completed.

“Uninterrupted water flow in drains is crucial,” Gupta stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. To expedite the process, 66 pieces of modern machinery, including draglines and water masters, are being deployed to remove silt, waste, and aquatic weeds.

The city is also implementing a robust pumping system. A total of 190 pumps – 40 permanent, 106 temporary, and 44 mobile – will be strategically positioned throughout Delhi. These mobile pumps can be rapidly deployed to waterlogged areas as needed. Regular testing of pump functionality has also been ordered.

Gupta has stressed the importance of interdepartmental coordination to ensure that Delhi residents are not unduly inconvenienced by the monsoon. The initiative follows a history of severe waterlogging in the city, compounded by a recent order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandating the completion of desilting works by May 31st. The NGT ruling covered 24 major drains in the city.

The Chief Minister’s office released a statement saying that the project will continue on a war-footing to prevent flood waters.

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