BJP Seeks CBI Probe into Delhi's Drain Desilting Scam Allegations

The BJP has accused the AAP-led government in Delhi of a massive scam involving drain desilting work, demanding a CBI investigation. BJP's Delhi unit president, Virendra Sachdeva, stated, "Corruption and loot of the AAP-led Delhi government and the MCD Municipal Corporation of Delhi are responsible for the deaths of three civil services aspirants in a flooded basement library of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar and other rain-related incidents in the city."

Sachdeva highlighted that in 2022-23, various departments removed significant amounts of silt from drains. The irrigation and flood control department removed three lakh metric tons, while the public works department removed two lakh metric tons. Additionally, the MCD and Delhi Jal Board removed two lakh metric tons and 40,000 metric tons respectively. He questioned where this silt went, as there was no record of trucks carrying it to designated dumping sites.

Allegations and Responses

AAP responded by stating that the questions raised by BJP were not new. They mentioned that Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had already called for a third-party audit of the desilting work. In May, Bharadwaj directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to provide a list of desilted drains for verification. Despite a reminder on June 5, Kumar did not send the list, AAP claimed.

AAP alleged that Kumar was close to BJP and avoided sharing the list by making excuses. They suggested that Kumar knew desilting was not happening on the ground. During a June meeting, Bharadwaj noted that most desilting work was only on paper and called for an audit.

Call for Investigation

Sachdeva demanded strict action against officials involved and scrutiny of AAP's role. He claimed there was no evidence of silt being transported to Singhola in Narela or city landfill sites. "There is a scam of hundreds of crores of rupees in the drain desilting exercise," he alleged.

The Delhi High Court had formed an Integrated Drain Management Cell led by the chief secretary. This cell was tasked with ensuring efforts were verified through a third-party audit. AAP stated that since this issue is now public, BJP is trying to shift blame onto the government.

Audit and Accountability

Kumar informed Bharadwaj on Wednesday that the principal secretary of the irrigation and flood control department had been directed to submit a factual note on the third-party audit. Agencies involved in desilting were also instructed not to pay contractors until the audit was completed.

Sachdeva reiterated his demand for a CBI probe into what he termed as a scam worth hundreds of crores. He stressed that the entire city was suffering due to this alleged corruption.

In light of these allegations, both parties continue to exchange accusations while calling for accountability and transparency in handling public resources.