NDMC to implement smart irrigation on 22 roads five gardens

NDMC to Implement Smart Irrigation System

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will develop a smart irrigation system to water greenery along 22 major avenue roads and five gardens. This project is expected to lead to 70% savings in irrigation costs.

Project Details

At a press conference on Monday, NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Chahal announced that the first phase will set up smart irrigation systems along 11 major roads. This will cover a total length of about 19.28 km for horticulture purposes. The second phase will include 11 avenue roads and five major gardens.

Expected Benefits

Chahal stated that the initiative is expected to cut water consumption by nearly 70%. It will also reduce the movement of slow-moving water tankers on arterial roads, easing traffic congestion. Tenders for this project have been invited and will be opened on January 27. The work will be awarded before March 2026, with a completion period of six months to a year, depending on the road length.

Cost and Locations

The estimated cost for this phase is ₹15.94 crore. The roads included in the project are around Nehru Park, Peshwa Road, Mandir Marg, R.K. Ashram Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Shanti Path, Panchsheel Marg, Ashoka Road, C-Hexagon, Aurobindo Marg, and Akbar Road.

Future Expansion Plans

Chahal mentioned that the smart irrigation project will expand in the 2026–27 fiscal year. This will cover 11 additional main roads and five major gardens, totaling 9.61 km at a cost of ₹16 crore. The second phase will include Maharishi Raman Marg, Lodhi Estate Lanes, Max Muller Marg, Subramaniyam Bharti Marg, San Martin Marg, Jesus and Mary Road, Manas Marg, Madhulimya Marg, Satya Marg, Chandragupt Marg, and Niti Marg.

Gardens Included

The gardens covered under the project include Satya Sadan Park, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden, Sanjay Lake Park, and the Children’s Park at Madhulimya Marg.

Current Infrastructure

Chahal added that 12 decentralized STPs (DSTPs) are operational in the NDMC area, supplying treated water for irrigation. The mechanized irrigation systems will be implemented in parks, gardens, and green belts. This will ensure water is used only as needed, promoting water conservation and reducing wastage.

Additional Projects

Under a ₹57 crore project, NDMC plans to construct, operate, and maintain five new DSTPs with a total capacity of 2,250 KLD (kilo liters daily). These plants are proposed at Bapu Dham Housing Complex, the nursery opposite INA Metro Station, the island at the intersection of Rajendra Prasad Road and Ashoka Road, Bharti Nagar Sewerage Pumping Station, and Nehru Park.

Future D-STPs

Plans are underway to set up eight additional DSTPs under the PPP model at various locations. These include the Rose Garden at Shanti Path, Kautilya Marg roundabout at Shanti Path, Race Course Nursery behind Tamil Nadu Bhawan, Sanjay Lake Park, Q-Point near the Taxi Stand, near Sangli Mess, Lodhi Garden, and Talkatora Garden. The total estimated cost for these projects is ₹150 crore.