New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

In a proactive move ahead of the monsoon, the Public Works Department (PWD) has approved two key stormwater drain projects aimed at tackling Delhi’s chronic waterlogging problem. The decision marks a significant step in strengthening the capital’s flood-control infrastructure, particularly along some of its busiest arterial roads.


According to PWD officials, the first project, estimated at ₹1.4 crore, involves the construction and strengthening of a stormwater drain along the IIPA stretch connecting Ring Road with the IP Flyover loop. The second project, with an outlay of around ₹2.4 crore, will cover the service lane from Shantivan red light to the Vijay Ghat drain.


Both locations lie along critical traffic corridors and close to heritage zones, where even short spells of rain often lead to severe waterlogging, disrupting vehicular movement and pedestrian access. Officials said that over the years, repeated structural damage and inadequate maintenance had significantly reduced the carrying capacity of existing drains, worsening the situation during monsoon months.


With the rainy season approaching, the PWD has emphasised timely execution of the projects. However, officials acknowledged that heavy traffic volumes and limited working space would pose logistical challenges. Contractors have therefore been directed to ensure that construction does not hinder traffic flow and to prepare detailed traffic diversion plans, which must be approved by both the Delhi Traffic Police and the PWD before work begins.


Departmental sources said the two projects are part of a broader PWD strategy to plug long-pending drainage gaps across the city. In recent months, the department has identified several other waterlogging-prone stretches for urgent intervention.


These include drainage upgrades along SavitrI Cinema Road, multiple points between S-Block and W-Block, and improvements to the service lane from DJB Gate to SLF Gate in Okhla Phase-I (SA Road).


PWD officials maintained that once completed, these works would not only reduce waterlogging but also ease traffic congestion and improve overall commuter experience during the monsoon. The move is being seen as a reflection of the department’s heightened preparedness and administrative focus on flood control ahead of the rainy season.