The Government of Delhi has launched work to strengthen the banks of the Yamuna River between the ITO and Sarai Kale Khan as part of efforts to improve flood management in the national capital.

Riverbank reinforcement work underway

According to HT, officials said the project includes reinforcing vulnerable embankment stretches through stone pitching, a method used to prevent soil erosion and strengthen riverbanks. The work is being carried out by the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which is responsible for managing floods and maintaining riverbanks in the city.

Authorities are also upgrading access roads along key drains and strengthening the Millennium Bund, an embankment located on the right bank of the Yamuna near Sarai Kale Khan. The bund acts as a protective barrier against rising river water during heavy rainfall or flooding.

According to officials, work is also being carried out along Drain No. 12, where approach roads are being strengthened so that maintenance teams and emergency crews can easily access the area during the monsoon. Improved access is expected to help authorities carry out routine cleaning and respond quickly if water levels rise.

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Measures aimed at preventing monsoon flooding

The initiative is part of broader efforts by the Delhi government to strengthen the city’s flood preparedness after past flooding incidents along the Yamuna. In recent years, heavy rainfall and high water discharge upstream have caused the river to swell, affecting low-lying areas of the capital.

Officials said the reinforcement work will help stabilise the riverbanks and reduce the risk of erosion during strong currents or heavy rainfall. Strengthening the embankment is also expected to improve the city’s ability to manage floodwaters and protect nearby infrastructure and residential areas.

“This is a crucial step in strengthening the embankment and ensuring the safety of the riverbank while protecting the area from future erosion,” a senior government official said.

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With monsoon preparations underway, authorities hope that the upgraded embankments, improved drainage access and reinforced bund structures will reduce the chances of flooding and ensure smoother flood management operations across vulnerable stretches of the Yamuna in Delhi.