New Delhi, December 16, 2025:
In a significant move to address long-standing waterlogging and infrastructure challenges in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday inspected the ongoing desilting work at Sunehri Nala, also known as the Barapullah Drain, in south Delhi. She also reviewed the progress of the under-construction Barapullah Bridge Phase-III corridor, a key infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between south and east Delhi.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure quality, speed and transparency in the execution of all works. She said the Delhi government is actively resolving legacy issues left behind by previous administrations, including incomplete and unscientific projects that have contributed to persistent problems such as waterlogging, pollution and traffic congestion.
Cabinet Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh and senior officials from the concerned departments were present during the site visit. Addressing officials, Rekha Gupta said that colonies located along the Sunehri Nala have faced severe waterlogging during every monsoon for years, causing significant hardship to residents. To address the issue, a large-scale desilting operation has been initiated along the one-kilometre stretch of the drain.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that around 50,000 metric tonnes of silt is required to be removed from the drain, of which approximately 14,000 metric tonnes has already been cleared. Rekha Gupta noted that the absence of a proper outlet and slab system during the construction of the drain had led to massive silt accumulation over the years, worsening flooding in nearby residential areas during the monsoon season.
She said the desilting work is currently being carried out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and expressed confidence that the entire drain would be fully cleaned before the next monsoon. The Chief Minister also announced that the entire project would be subjected to an audit to ascertain how such a major drainage structure was constructed without ensuring a sustainable and long-term cleaning and maintenance mechanism. She emphasised that fixing accountability is essential to prevent similar lapses in future infrastructure projects.
Reviewing the progress of the Barapullah Bridge Phase-III corridor, the Chief Minister described the project as a major step towards easing Delhi’s chronic traffic congestion. Once completed, the elevated corridor will connect Sarai Kale Khan with Mayur Vihar Phase-I, significantly improving connectivity between south and east Delhi. The project involves the construction of an upgraded elevated roadway along with ducts from Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar.
The approximately 13.3-kilometre-long, six-lane corridor will also feature a 4.3-kilometre-long dedicated cycle track, aimed at promoting non-motorised transport in the city. A major highlight of the project is a 500-metre-long, six-lane extradosed bridge, which will be the first of its kind in the country. The bridge will include dedicated walkways and cycle tracks on both sides, enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Rekha Gupta said that the Barapullah Corridor would provide signal-free connectivity between Mayur Vihar in east Delhi and the AIIMS area in south Delhi. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure on key arterial routes such as the DND Flyway, National Highway-24 and the Ring Road. Once operational, it is estimated to facilitate smooth movement for nearly 1.5 lakh vehicles daily, offering substantial relief to commuters.
The Chief Minister further stressed that modern construction techniques and high-quality materials are being used in the project to ensure structural safety, durability and long-term sustainability. She reiterated that addressing waterlogging, air pollution and traffic congestion remains among the top priorities of the Delhi government. According to her, the administration is focused not only on identifying problems but also on delivering long-term solutions to issues that have persisted for decades.
Speaking on the occasion, Public Works Department and Water Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh said that the Barapullah Phase-III project had suffered years of delay due to negligence by the previous government. He added that the present administration has ensured close monitoring of the project, secured all necessary approvals and issued clear instructions to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe. He said sustained oversight would continue to ensure timely completion and delivery of the project’s intended benefits to the people of Delhi.
The Delhi government reiterated its commitment to completing both the desilting of Sunehri Nala and the Barapullah Phase-III corridor in a time-bound manner, with the aim of providing lasting relief from waterlogging and traffic congestion while improving overall urban infrastructure in the capital.
