The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced the near-completion of a significant section of the 2.4 km drain designed to connect Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with Sector 8 in Dwarka. This vital infrastructure project aims to mitigate the recurrent issue of waterlogging at the airport, particularly during the monsoon season. The newly constructed drain is expected to discharge rainwater into Trunk Drain No. 2, reducing the risk of flooding.
A DDA official highlighted that the new drain performed efficiently during the recent record-breaking rainfall, operating at full capacity and normalising conditions within two hours. “There was no waterlogging at Bagdola village, the CRPF campus, and surrounding areas,” the official stated. With Phase I of the project completed, the remaining work is anticipated to be finished by the end of September. The drain begins at a point near the railway tracks close to IGIA, designated as point A. It carries the discharge to point B, near the Kamlesh Dwar of the CRPF campus. From there, the drain splits its discharge into two stretches, C and D, which connect with Trunk Drain No. 2 in Dwarka, near the marble market and Bagdola village, respectively. Trunk Drain No. 2 ultimately empties into the Najafgarh drain.
Phase I of the drain project features major sections that are 20 metres wide and 2 metres deep, a significant upgrade from the previous drain, which measured only 2 by 1 metre. Phase II will see the construction of additional sections measuring 12 by 2 metres. The enhanced size of the new drain is expected to sufficiently prevent water accumulation on the airport’s northern side, a persistent problem in the past. The revival of the airport drain project was initially conceived in 2019, following severe waterlogging issues at IGIA during the rains. The project, aimed at managing discharge from the airport, faced numerous delays due to bureaucratic hurdles and environmental clearances. Construction began in August 2020 but was intermittently stalled due to delayed permissions from the forest department for tree felling along the project site. The DDA, under the direction of the lieutenant governor, approached the Delhi High Court for a directive to expedite the necessary clearances, which were finally granted on 1st August 2022. Following the receipt of permissions, construction work accelerated, with the site last inspected by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in February. In addition to the drain, the DDA has created five waterbodies in Dwarka to store excess rainwater, further enhancing the area’s flood management capabilities. This comprehensive drainage project represents a critical step towards resolving long-standing waterlogging issues at IGIA and its surrounding areas. With the project’s completion in sight, the DDA remains optimistic about its capacity to handle future monsoon challenges effectively, ensuring smoother operations at one of India’s busiest airports.
