Parvesh Verma hits out at AAP over Kirari drainage, says projects to end waterlogging in a year

Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma

Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma on Thursday slammed the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for ignoring the main drainage system issue in the Kirari Assembly constituency as it failed to complete the projects and promised that the area will not face waterlogging as the issue will be resolved within a year.

His criticism is based on videos that recently surfaced on social media showing parts of Kirari, including Sharma Colony, filled with water contaminated with sewage.

“The waterlogging problem in Kirari is not new. The previous AAP government failed to solve it. Some projects were initiated but never completed. Currently, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) are working on separate drainage projects and the problem will be solved within a year,” Verma said.

The minister accused the previous government of lacking a comprehensive approach to the issue. He accused MLAs of the previous AAP government of corruption and alleged that they were taking kickbacks. “Around 10 lakh people suffered but there was no comprehensive solution,” he added.

Justifying the current situation, Verma explained that the flood was due to the low-lying land of Kirari, which facilitates the accumulation of water, and also said that DJB will complete the work of laying sewers in 114 colonies in the district, including Mubarakpur Dabas, by mid-2026. “The previous government had started sewer laying projects without planning a proper outlet. Now we are building a 25 MGD Rohini sewage treatment plant at a cost of Rs 400 million to treat sewage from Kirari,” the minister said.

He added that DDA was working on Kirari-Rithala canal. Simultaneously, the Irrigation and Flood Control department is constructing a 4.5 kilometer drain to divert excess water from the constituency at an estimated cost of Rs 220 billion.