New Delhi, March 31 -- In a major shift, Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) plans to phase out private contractors for drain cleaning and rely on mechanised desilting, officials said on Monday. The move follows concerns over lack of transparency, weak accountability, and unreliable reporting of silt removal by contractors. PWD minister Parvesh Verma said there was no robust system to measure work done, with contractor reports often unverifiable. Under the new plan, the department will deploy its own machines to accurately measure silt removal and maintain proper records, ensuring better use of public funds. Officials said mechanisation will also speed up operations and reduce delays caused by contractor-related issues such as disputes an...