What happened
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said that urban flooding, including cleaning and desilting of drains, falls mainly within the responsibility of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies. The ministry also highlighted central support through advisory documents, technical guidance, and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, known as AMRUT.
Background and earlier position
Urban flooding in Indian cities is commonly linked to high-intensity rainfall in a short period, unplanned growth, encroachment of natural water bodies, and weak rainwater-drainage systems. The ministry said that pre-monsoon cleaning and desilting of drains are functions of Urban Local Bodies, and the Union government does not centrally maintain data on the funds allocated, released, and utilised by Urban Local Bodies for these activities.
What the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has published several advisory and guidance documents for urban drainage and flood management, including the Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014, the Standard Operating Procedure for Urban Flooding, the River Centric Urban Planning Guidelines, 2021, the Guidance Document on Creation of Rain Water Harvesting Parks, and the Manual on Storm Water Drainage System.
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