June 16: The Delhi Cabinet has given its approval for construction of a storm water drain from Mahipalpur Chowk to Najafgarh Drain at a cost of Rs 152 crores. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to modernise the power substations with the use of the geographical information system (GIS) of Delhi Tranco at the cost of Rs 304 crores. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting on Monday, which was presided over by chief minister Sheila Dikshit. Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Ms Dikshit said an amount of Rs 152 crores has been sanctioned for construction of first ever storm water drain from Mahipalpur Chowk to Najafgarh drain, which will be completed within 12 months after the allotment of work. "It would go a long way in smooth operations of newly-developed third runway at IGI Airport and drain out storm water discharge of five villages, namely Mahipalpur, Rangpuri, Rajokari, Samalkha, Kapashera and Dwarka sub-city," said the chief minister. This would also take care of discharge of 700 cusecs of five villages, 1,300 cusecs of IGI airport and 400 cusecs of Dwarka, the chief minister added. Earlier, the storm water of five villages used to flow towards Najafgarh drain through airport area from Shahbad and Bagdola drain. Opening was also made under Delhi-Rewari Railway line. These drains were used to cater to the discharges of other villages, which have, now, been urbanised. "The land of these villages has been acquired by the DDA to develop Dwarka sub-city," said the official. "The Bagdola drain has been converted into trunk drain by the DDA. With the urbanisation of these villages, the natural course of water has been interfered with and the drainage problem has become more complex with the sewerage water also discharged by the villages into the drain, which ultimately falls into the airport land," the official added.