New Delhi, April 10: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday to address the persistent issue of waterlogging in the capital.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to ensure timely removal of silt from drains. She emphasized the need for special arrangements at waterlogged sites and stated that effective coordination among departments will help manage waterlogging more efficiently during the monsoon season. Gupta stressed the importance of developing a plan that minimizes the reliance on pumps for water removal.
Present at the review meeting were senior officials from various departments, including Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Delhi Cantonment Board. Each department presented their action plans to prevent waterlogging, including proposals for silt removal, drain construction, repairs, and cleaning.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister engaged in extensive discussions about the silt removal process and instructed for swift completion of these tasks. She made it clear that any negligence in these efforts would not be tolerated. All departments must clear silt from drains by June 30 to ensure rainwater flows into the drains and does not accumulate on roads. Gupta also highlighted the need for departments to pay special attention to cleanliness in streets, alleys, markets, and colonies during the rains, as debris often clogs drainage systems, leading to waterlogging.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that there was no waterlogging on Minto Road during the last monsoon, a site that had historically faced flooding. This success was attributed to continuous monitoring and proactive resolution of potential issues. The officials from relevant departments worked diligently, effectively “washing away” the problem from Minto Road.
Gupta reiterated the necessity for collaboration among various departments, noting that waterlogging often occurs due to a lack of coordination, with departments blaming each other. She warned that any complaints regarding inter-departmental coordination would lead to strict action.
She also urged officials to procure modern machinery if needed to tackle waterlogging effectively. The MCD and NDMC provided information on such machinery during the meeting. Gupta insisted that all departments must implement these solutions and focus on waterlogged points, ensuring rapid water removal before the rains arrive.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to maintain constant communication with their engineers and staff during the rains, as they are responsible for monitoring and addressing waterlogging issues. She plans to personally tour affected areas with senior officials during the rains to assess the situation. Gupta emphasized the need for a system that minimizes pump usage for water removal, as pump failures and other issues often contribute to waterlogging. Therefore, all departments must expedite work on the drainage master plan.
She concluded that a scientific and systematic approach is essential for a long-term solution to waterlogging. The government’s goal is to protect Delhi residents from waterlogging during the monsoon, focusing on permanent improvements rather than temporary fixes to strengthen the capital’s infrastructure and alleviate monsoon-related issues.
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