Rs. 705 cr allocated in Delhi Budget-2022 for cleaning Najafgarh drain
Rs. 705 cr allocated in Delhi Budget-22 for cleaning Najafgarh drain
Haritima Tourist Complex along it remains non-operational for several years
New Delhi, March 26 (Delhi Crown): A separate allocation of Rs. 705 crores has been made in Delhi’s Budget for the year 2022-23 for cleaning the Najafgarh drain, announced Deputy CM and Finance Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday while announcing the budgetary proposals.
The Najafgarh drain originates from Gurugram, paases through various villages in South-West Delhi and finally falls into Yamuna river in North Delhi.
Sisodia said that floating wetlands and floating aerators will be installed in the entire Najafgarh drain to purify the water here, and develop it as a tourist destination. Originally a river (named Sahibi), it gradually got converted into a drain with sewage falling into it, said Sisodia.
“Work has started on the detailed plan to revive the Najafgarh drain. Floating wetlands and floating aerators will be installed in the entire Najafgarh drain to purify the water here. The work of in situ cleaning of Najafgarh drain and beautification of roads on both sides will also start simultaneously. Najafgarh drain which was earlier known as Sahibi river, now identified as Najafgarh drain due to the dirty water in it, will be developed as a tourist destination by cleaning it and beautifying the roads on both its sides. Delhi’s Sahibi river will be brought back in its form. A separate provision of Rs. 705 crores has been made for this in the Budget,” said Sisodia.
Despite tall claims of the Delhi Government, the Najafgarh drain continues to be a filthy and stinking nala. Several drains carrying Gurugram’s sewage and industrial waste fall into it, thus making it so poisonous that fish fail to survive in it.
The Haritima Tourist Complex situated along the Najafgarh drain near Kanganheri village, in South-West Delhi, continues to be shut despite several attempts by the Delhi Government to turn into an attractive tourist destination. The property fails to generate any revenue(s) for the Delhi Government.
During his budget speech, Sisodia also said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s campaign to clean Yamuna has now progressed.
“All the drains falling into Yamuna will be intercepted and treated either by taking it to Sewage Treatment Plant or it will be converted into clean water by in-situ treatment. All these plans are progressing at a rapid pace. And, in 2 years Yamuna in Delhi will be completely cleaned. It is the resolution of the Delhi Government that not even a drop of dirty water should fall in the water of Yamuna from the side of the people of Delhi,” said the Dy. CM.
A policy of using treated water of sewage and sewerage has been implemented under which this water will be given for large green belts, forests, farm houses and horticulture.
Due to this, thousands of borewells will also be closed and the water level under Delhi will also increase, added Sisodia.
