Experts Laud Delhi's Drainage Plan, Suggest Integrating Sewerage for Lasting Impact

On September 19, 2025, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs unveiled Delhi's ambitious Drainage Master Plan 2025, a 30-year solution to address the city's urban flooding issues. The plan, which comes with a price tag of Rs 57,000 crore, aims to reduce instances of waterlogging and flooding by 50% in the next five years.

Experts have welcomed this long-overdue initiative, but they have also offered suggestions to further improve the plan's delivery and impact. A.K. Jain, the former Principal Commissioner of the Delhi Development Authority, praised the plan as a "positive step" and noted that it has altered fundamental aspects like drainage boundaries. However, he emphasized the need to focus on wetlands, which can serve as natural water retention zones, and the importance of employing modern technologies like SCADA systems and bio-filters to reduce dependence on manual desilting.

S. Velmurugan, the Chief Scientist and Head of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety at CSIR-CRRI, stressed the need to integrate drainage and sewerage plans, stating that a well-designed road camber and proper sewerage network are essential for efficient infiltration and outflow, especially during heavy rain. He suggested incorporating a sewage master plan into the Drainage Master Plan 2025 to save time and money.

Overall, the experts have welcomed the Delhi government's efforts to address the city's long-standing drainage and flooding issues, but they have also highlighted the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to ensure the plan's long-term success.