DDA ASKS CAQM FOR PERMISSION TO START WORK ON DWARKA DRAIN

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has written to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to allow the construction of a crucial drain project in Dwarka’s Sector 8, which is essential to ensure that there is no waterlogging at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

The ₹69.72 crore project involves the construction of a 3km drain from the airport to Bharat Vandana Park in Dwarka, and further to the trunk drain.

DDA officials said that due to a ban imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles and of construction activity as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), they are not able to start the work on site.

“The project recently got all the necessary clearances and the construction work was to start in October. But then the ban was imposed. We have written to the CAQM and will be meeting officials on Friday to discuss the issue,” said a senior DDA official.

A CAQM official said a review meeting on the Grap has been called on Friday. “If further restrictions are lifted, then these projects may be allowed to resume operations. Therefore, a review of all projects will only take place after this meeting,” the official said.

Air We Breathe