Delhi’s ITO Barrage, situated in the heart of the national capital, has recently come under sharp focus due to concerns over flood management and administrative control. Despite being located within Delhi’s territorial limits, this important hydraulic structure is still managed by the state of Haryana. The unusual jurisdictional arrangement has now prompted a formal request by the Delhi government for control over the ITO Barrage, citing urgent infrastructure upgrades and the need for coordinated flood control.

The ITO Barrage: A Strategic But Disputed Infrastructure

The ITO Barrage, located near the ITO bridge on the bustling route connecting Laxmi Nagar to Connaught Place, is an integral component of flood regulation along the Yamuna River. Despite being physically inside Delhi, the barrage is not under the control of the Delhi government, but rather administered by Haryana. This anomaly stems from the historical background of the barrage, constructed in the 1960s by the erstwhile Punjab Government, at a time when Haryana was still part of Punjab.

Historical Significance and Legacy Issues

The barrage was originally designed to channel water to thermal power units operated by the Indraprastha Power Generation Company. These thermal units were decommissioned in the 2000s due to environmental concerns raised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). However, Haryana continued to retain operational control, despite the plant becoming obsolete.

The structure comprises 32 critical gates that play a significant role in regulating the flow of Yamuna, especially during the monsoon season. Over the years, several of these gates have become inoperative or sealed, contributing to flooding risks across central Delhi, particularly in years like 2023, when areas like Civil Lines, Rajghat, Red Fort, and Bus Adda were inundated.

Why Delhi Wants Control

With growing concerns over climate change and erratic monsoon patterns, Delhi’s Water Minister Pravesh Verma has formally initiated a request for administrative transfer of the ITO Barrage. The objective is to modernise the infrastructure, repair outdated gates, and ensure quick and coordinated emergency responses during flood events.

The 2023 flooding incident was a wake-up call for the city administration. Water levels in the Yamuna rose to 208.66 metres, prompting fears of urban disaster. It was discovered that five of the barrage’s gates had been left sealed for over 35 years. Only after extensive intervention from the Indian Army and Navy were they finally opened, but it took nearly a month of labour-intensive work, exposing major gaps in governance and response capability.

Delhi’s Plan for Repairs and Modernisation

The Delhi government has now approved detailed plans for the overhaul of the barrage, including:

• Repair and automation of damaged gates.

• Installation of real-time water level monitoring sensors.

• Creation of a joint task force with disaster management experts.

• Streamlined communication protocols between water departments.

This modernisation push is expected to help Delhi better manage peak monsoon flows, prevent urban submergence, and preserve heritage areas in central Delhi which are highly vulnerable to even moderate water surges.

Other Barrages on the Yamuna in Delhi

It’s worth noting that three major barrages exist within Delhi’s geographical boundaries, but are managed by three different state entities:

1. Wazirabad Barrage – Managed by Delhi

2. ITO Barrage – Managed by Haryana

3. Okhla Barrage – Managed by Uttar Pradesh

This fragmented governance structure, according to experts, is not suited for dealing with unified flood control and water resource planning, especially in a megacity like Delhi that frequently faces water stress and flood threats.

Environmental and Administrative Challenges

The National Green Tribunal and other bodies have pointed out the need for a clear jurisdictional framework when it comes to urban water bodies and flood control infrastructure. Multiple ownerships lead to delays, conflicting priorities, and operational inefficiencies.

For example, if the Yamuna’s water level crosses critical thresholds, the response time required to open or adjust gates can increase dangerously when permissions must be routed through a different state’s bureaucracy.

The issue is not just technical but political, as it involves inter-state coordination, which historically has been challenging in India. While Delhi has made a formal request, Haryana has yet to respond publicly to the possibility of transferring the ITO Barrage.

A Call for Centre’s Intervention

Some officials and experts believe that only intervention from the central government can resolve this issue. Given the barrage's strategic importance in national capital territory, it has been suggested that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti or a special inter-state water authority take over operations and standardise practices.

There have also been calls for the Central Water Commission (CWC) to audit the condition of all major barrages on the Yamuna, and release a public report on maintenance, operational readiness, and flood control measures.

What Lies Ahead

As climate patterns grow more unpredictable and the urban flood risk for Delhi increases, it is clear that infrastructure like the ITO Barrage cannot be allowed to remain in administrative limbo. Delhi’s demand for control is not merely a political move, but a reflection of practical urban governance needs in a city where infrastructure resiliency is fast becoming a matter of survival.

If a flood crisis like 2023 repeats, with sealed gates and bureaucratic hurdles hampering action, the consequences could be far more severe. The capital’s urban planning, emergency preparedness, and heritage conservation all depend on efficient water management, of which the ITO Barrage is a central pillar.

Conclusion

The Delhi-Haryana ITO Barrage issue is a striking example of how legacy decisions and administrative overlaps can undermine urban resilience. While history explains why Haryana owns it, present and future challenges demand a rethinking of such arrangements. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Delhi’s push for operational control translates into actual structural reform, or remains caught in the web of inter-state politics.

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