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12 Jan 2026·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
Environment & EcologyEnvironment & EcologyPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Delhi Government Revamps Drainage Master Plan to Combat Waterlogging

Delhi government accelerates work on drainage projects to mitigate chronic waterlogging.

Delhi Government Revamps Drainage Master Plan to Combat Waterlogging

Photo by Nana K.

The Delhi government is expediting work on four major trunk drains as part of a revamped Drainage Master Plan, aiming to provide long-term relief from chronic waterlogging across the national capital. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that these projects would ease pressure on existing drains and ensure faster rainwater discharge during peak monsoon periods. The projects include the Mundka Halt-supplementary drain, the MB Road storm water drain, the Kirari-Rithala trunk drain, and improvements to the storm water drain along Rohtak Road (NH-10). In September 2025, the Union Minister unveiled a Rs 57,000-crore Delhi Drainage Master Plan 2025, envisioning a 50% reduction in waterlogging and flooding over the next five years.

Key Facts

1.

Delhi Drainage Master Plan 2025: Rs 57,000 crore

2.

Target: 50% reduction in waterlogging in 5 years

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper 1 (Geography): Urbanization and its impact on drainage systems

2.

GS Paper 3 (Environment): Disaster management, climate change adaptation

3.

GS Paper 2 (Governance): Government policies and programs for urban development

Visual Insights

Delhi Drainage Master Plan: Key Project Locations

Map showing the locations of the four major trunk drain projects being expedited by the Delhi government as part of the revamped Drainage Master Plan.

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More Information

Background

The history of urban drainage systems in Delhi dates back to the Mughal era, with rudimentary systems designed to manage rainwater runoff. However, rapid urbanization post-independence, coupled with inadequate planning and infrastructure development, led to the city's vulnerability to waterlogging. The Delhi Master Plans, formulated periodically since the 1960s, have attempted to address drainage issues, but implementation gaps and the sheer scale of urbanization have consistently posed challenges.

Traditional water bodies, which once acted as natural drainage channels, have been encroached upon, further exacerbating the problem. The Yamuna River, the city's primary drainage outlet, has also suffered from pollution and reduced carrying capacity, contributing to flooding during monsoon seasons.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and nature-based solutions to mitigate waterlogging in Delhi. These approaches focus on enhancing infiltration, reducing runoff, and restoring natural drainage pathways. The Delhi government has also been exploring the use of real-time monitoring and forecasting technologies to improve drainage management.

Furthermore, community participation and awareness campaigns are being promoted to encourage responsible waste disposal and prevent the clogging of drains. The focus is shifting towards decentralized drainage solutions and integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to enhance the city's resilience to extreme weather events. The NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) has also been actively involved in providing guidelines and support for urban flood management in Delhi.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Delhi Drainage Master Plan 2025: 1. It aims to reduce waterlogging and flooding by 50% over the next five years. 2. The plan was unveiled by the Union Minister in September 2025 with an outlay of Rs 57,000 crore. 3. The plan focuses solely on improving existing trunk drains without incorporating sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the news summary. Statement 3 is incorrect because modern drainage plans increasingly incorporate SUDS.

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)?

  • A.Promoting infiltration of rainwater into the ground
  • B.Reducing the volume and rate of surface runoff
  • C.Relying solely on concrete channels for water conveyance
  • D.Enhancing biodiversity and amenity value in urban areas
Show Answer

Answer: C

SUDS aim to move away from traditional concrete channels and incorporate natural elements for drainage. Option C contradicts this principle.

3. Assertion (A): Rapid and unplanned urbanization often leads to increased waterlogging and urban flooding. Reason (R): The reduction of permeable surfaces and the encroachment of natural drainage systems disrupt the natural water cycle. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • C.A is true but R is false
  • D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason accurately explains why rapid urbanization leads to waterlogging.

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