Delhi Takes Action After Tragic Death in Sewage-Filled Drain
The Delhi Jal Board has prepared an ambitious Rs 213 crore proposal to establish a proper sewerage network in several villages near Palla, following the heartbreaking death of a five-year-old girl who fell into a sewage-filled stormwater drain last year. The tragedy prompted immediate action from environmental authorities and urban planning departments.
The National Green Tribunal took suo-moto cognisance of a Times of India report highlighting the incident, noting that untreated sewage from nearby villages was flowing directly into the drain due to the complete absence of a formal sewer network. The tribunal directed both DJB and the Public Works Department to prevent further discharge of untreated sewage and submit a concrete timeline for corrective measures.
Comprehensive Sewage Infrastructure Plan
In a report dated November 24, the Delhi Jal Board outlined that the massive proposal covers seven key villages: Tajpur, Sungerpur, Akbarpur Majra, Bakhtawarpur, Jhangola, Tigipur and Palla. The centerpiece of this project involves constructing two decentralised sewage treatment plants at Sungerpur and Tajpur locations.
The project has already received financial approval, and tenders have been officially invited. Work is expected to be awarded by January 2026, with complete project completion targeted for June 2028. This timeline represents a significant commitment to addressing the long-standing sanitation issues in the area.
Immediate Safety Measures Implemented
While the comprehensive sewage network will take several years to complete, authorities have not ignored immediate safety concerns. The Delhi Jal Board confirmed that the Public Works Department plans to install precast reinforced cement concrete cover slabs around the incident site to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
This multi-pronged approach demonstrates the administration's commitment to both immediate risk mitigation and long-term infrastructure development. The project represents one of the most significant rural sewage management initiatives in the Delhi region in recent years.
The tragic incident that sparked this action underscores the critical need for proper sanitation infrastructure in peripheral urban villages, where rapid urbanization has often outpaced the development of essential services.
