Is Delhi monsoon-ready?

The civic bodies have begun pointing fingers at DJB, PWD over waterlogging after showers

Claiming that 90 per cent of de-silting is over, PWD officials blamed water-logging on the strike by sanitation workers.— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

laims of desilting and monsoon preparedness by civic agencies were laid bare as drains and streets were flooded after showers on Sunday and Monday.

The civic bodies have begun pointing fingers at the Delhi Jal Board and the Public Works Department as maintenance of roads and drains come under their purview.

“In a recent meeting, we had gone with plans to ensure there is coordination between authorities. However, the DJB and PWD officials didn’t show any interest,” said North Delhi Mayor Ravinder Gupta. He has written to the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor stating that some officials didn’t even attend the May 28 meeting.

However, PWD officials claim 90 per cent of de-silting is over and proceeding as scheduled. They went on to add that water-logging was a result of the strike by sanitation workers.

“During the protest, sanitation workers dumped garbage on the streets and this hampered our work. When the strike was called off, they dumped the garbage into drains instead of removing it,” said a senior PWD official.

Interestingly, South Delhi, where there was no strike, witnessed the heaviest water-logging.

The civic bodies had even moved a proposal during the meeting to transfer roads under their purview back to the PWD. “To end water-logging, multiplicity of authorities has to end. With so many agencies involved, work gets delayed and people suffer,” said a senior South Delhi Municipal Corporation official.

Even traffic police identifies vulnerable water-logging stretches in the city every year and the list is given to the civic bodies. Each civic agency identifies such stretches, but water-logging has become unavoidable.

“It has reduced in the past two years. On Monday, there were just 15 water-logging complaints and within 30 minutes, the water receded. All our pumps are working. After a heavy shower, it takes time for the water to get drained,” added the PWD official.

Major traffic jams after the rain have become routine. “We advise commuters to leave early or avail metro services to reach their destination on time,” said a traffic officer.