Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch Probes PWD Drain Desilting Scam

The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch has initiated an investigation into alleged corruption within the desilting of drains by PWD officials. Fraudulent activities, including inflated bills and false certifications, have been reported. Over four years, these actions resulted in a financial loss of nearly Rs 80 crore.

The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case of corruption in the desilting of drains, officials confirmed on Friday. According to sources, the ACB received a letter from the vigilance department citing irregularities in desilting work conducted between 2021 and 2025 under the Public Works Department (PWD) divisions of SWR-I and SWR-II.

Investigations revealed that PWD officials manipulated drain measurements to inflate invoices, resulting in unjustified payments to a contractor. Fraudulent certifications and overlapping tenders were also identified, allowing double payments for single tasks. A single contractor was awarded multiple tenders at inflated rates, violating contract conditions. Investigators noted bills were inflated by falsely claiming the use of advanced machinery when manual labor was used.

The financial implications are significant, with fraudulent payments amounting to around Rs 78.40 crore over four years. Serious accusations of public fund misuse have been raised, prompting Lt. Governor VK Saxena to order a comprehensive probe to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and hold accountable those involved.

(With inputs from agencies.)