Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Reviews Sunehri Nala Desilting, Pushes Completion of Barapullah Phase-III Corridor

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inspected the ongoing desilting work of Sunehri Nala (Barapullah Drain) in South Delhi and reviewed the progress of the under-construction Barapullah Bridge Phase-III, which will connect South Delhi with East Delhi.

During the inspection, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure quality, speed and transparency in the execution of all works, stating that the Delhi government is resolving long-pending legacy issues left behind by previous governments, including incomplete and unscientific projects.

Cabinet Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh and senior officials of the concerned departments were present during the inspection.

The Chief Minister said that colonies adjoining the Sunehri Nala have faced severe waterlogging every monsoon. To address this issue, a total of 50,000 metric tonnes of silt had to be removed from the 1-kilometre-long drain, out of which approximately 14,000 metric tonnes have already been cleared.

She pointed out that the absence of proper outlet and slab systems had led to heavy silt accumulation, aggravating waterlogging in nearby areas. The desilting work is being carried out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and is expected to be completed before the next monsoon.

She added that the entire matter will be audited to determine how such a large drain was constructed without ensuring a sustainable future cleaning mechanism.

Reviewing the progress of the Barapullah Phase-III Corridor, the Chief Minister said the project would significantly improve Delhi’s traffic management. The elevated corridor will connect Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar-I and involves the construction of an upgraded roadway with ducts.

The approximately 13.3-kilometre-long six-lane corridor will also include a 4.3-kilometre-long cycle track. The project further features a 500-metre-long six-lane extradosed bridge, the first of its kind in the country, with dedicated walkways and cycle tracks on both sides.

The Chief Minister stated that the Barapullah Corridor will provide signal-free connectivity between East Delhi (Mayur Vihar) and South Delhi (AIIMS), reducing traffic pressure on the DND Flyway and NH-24 and facilitating smooth movement for around 1.5 lakh vehicles daily.

She emphasised that modern construction techniques and high-quality materials are being used to ensure safety, durability and long-term sustainability, reiterating that addressing waterlogging, pollution and traffic congestion remains a top priority of the Delhi Government.

PWD and Water Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh said that the project had been delayed for years due to negligence by the previous government. He added that the present government has ensured close monitoring, obtained all necessary approvals and issued clear instructions to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.