India, April 23 -- New Delhi

The capacity of the Wazirabad pondage, which is the primary water storage area for the Yamuna in Delhi, will be restored to its original capacity - over twofold the current capacity - through dredging and desilting the riverbed between the Wazirabad barrage and Ram Ghat, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said on Tuesday.

This increased storage will act as a buffer, especially during peak summer when water shortage affects the Capital, officials said. The project, which is expected to cost Rs.25.79 crore and take around two months, will involve selecting an agency to remove accumulated silt, weeds and shoal.

A senior DJB official said the exercise will entail removing around 363,000 cubic metres of silt. "The pondag...