Haryana To Hand Over ITO Barrage: Delhi Steps Up Yamuna Flood Management
The Haryana government has given in-principle approval for the Delhi government to take over the ITO barrage, senior officials confirmed Monday.
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Haryana Government Approves Transfer of ITO Barrage to Delhi Administration
Senior officials confirmed on Monday that the Haryana government has granted in-principle approval for the Delhi government to assume control of the ITO barrage.
This strategic transfer aims to enhance Delhi's ability to manage Yamuna water flow and strengthen its flood prevention measures.
The Indraprastha barrage, commonly known as the ITO barrage, gained significant attention during the July 2023 flooding when five of its 32 gates malfunctioned, causing water levels to rise dangerously in East Delhi.
Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj had attributed the flooding to maintenance issues, stating, "Since the ITO barrage is managed by the Haryana government, which admitted that the barrage was not maintained, five gates were not opened. This led to a rise in the Yamuna's water levels and the breach in the regulator, which caused the flooding."
Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma reported that a recent collaborative meeting with Haryana officials resulted in the transfer agreement.
"They have provided in-principle approval for handing over the ITO barrage. The Delhi portion of the Munak canal will also be maintained by the Delhi government," he stated, confirming that the barrage remains fully operational. "All of its gates are functional and there is no obstruction in water flow. The barrage may serve future water diversion plans if required," Mr Verma elaborated.
Built in the 1960s by the Punjab Irrigation Department, the ITO barrage initially provided water to Delhi's Indraprastha and Rajghat thermal power stations, which were decommissioned in 2009 and 2015, respectively. The responsibility for operating and maintaining the barrage was subsequently transferred to the Haryana Irrigation Department.
The 22-kilometer Yamuna stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla contains three barrages, each under different state jurisdictions despite being located within Delhi's boundaries. The Wazirabad barrage is maintained by Delhi and supports water treatment facilities including Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants, while the ITO barrage was under Haryana's control, and Uttar Pradesh manages the Okhla barrage.
Officials explained that during the 2023 floods, excessive silt buildup and poor maintenance caused five ITO gates to jam, impeding downstream water flow. "The Delhi government had to seek assistance from Army and Navy divers to open the gates," they recalled, highlighting the operational difficulties faced by the city.
With this forthcoming transfer, Delhi will control two of the three barrages along this critical Yamuna section, enabling more effective river flow regulation and improving the capital's flood management capabilities.