Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
NEW DELHI: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds on Friday morning served as a test for the Delhi Government and civic authorities to evaluate their readiness for this monsoon.
Waterlogging was reported across the city, with persistent issues at notorious locations including Dhaula Kuan, Minto Road, ITO, Lajpat Nagar, Ring Road, Airport Road, Mundka, and New Friends Colony.
To assess the situation, Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma visited the waterlogged Minto Road underpass. Commuters also reported waterlogging on Najafgarh Road near Janakpuri Metro Station, Pankha Road (behind Dabri Mor Metro station gate no 3), Jantar Mantar, Subroto Park, Manju Ka Tila, Sadiq Nagar, Moti Bagh, Ramjas Road Karol Bagh, NIA headquarters, Pitampura, East Vinod Nagar Block A, and Rohini Sector 3 Pocket G-28.
Geetanjali Nigam, a resident of G Block South Extension II, stated that roads in her area were in poor condition for a long time, and they struggled to commute, especially during rains, due to severe waterlogging. “Even the main road connecting to AIIMS was heavily waterlogged on Friday,” she said on ‘X’.
Expressing surprise at the waterlogging on the airport flyover in South Delhi, Sunil Kumar Singh stated on ‘X’, “It’s shameful and a matter of concern for Delhi people and the govt of Delhi. Waterlogging on the inner Ring Road flyover leading to the airport, which is at an elevation of almost 6 metres above ground level, shows complete ignorance from the authorities concerned. May God save us!”
The underpasses at Dwarka, Kishanganj, Minto Road, Bhairon Marg, Azadpur, and Jwalaheri showed no signs of improvement, severely disrupting traffic flow, demonstrating that previous experiences did not lead to effective solutions. These were lashed with water, and commuters avoided taking them.
During an inspection of Majnu Ka Tila and surrounding areas, CM Rekha Gupta acknowledged the poor conditions. She highlighted issues such as missing drains, no desilting, damaged roads, and the overall deteriorating state of Delhi requiring immediate attention.
Gupta also stated on ‘X’, “I inspected the situation of waterlogging in various areas of Delhi, including Majnu Ka Tila, due to rain. There is a problem of waterlogging in many areas of Delhi. In some places, there are no drains; in others, the drains are clogged, and in some, the roads are damaged.
Delhi is in a very bad state and needs urgent improvement. It is an alarming situation, and all departments and agencies must take today’s rain as a warning to begin addressing areas prone to waterlogging. We have directed our officers and departments to take immediate action wherever there is an issue of waterlogging.”
“Waterlogging is the previous govt’s mess. We’re cleaning it up on the ground,” said Gupta further as rain choked the city.
In East Delhi, waterlogging was also reported in various parts of the city, including Anand Vihar and Patparganj. Patparganj BJP MLA Ravindra Singh Negi said, “They (AAP) were in power for 12 years, and we have been in power for only 65 days.
In these 65 days, we have started the work of cleaning drains… Now officers and ministers will be seen on the road; we will not sit at home like the people of AAP…”
The status of the underpass at Africa Avenue Marg and nearby roads was assessed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials later in the day. NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal said, “…This time, you will see that our traffic is running smoothly on Africa Avenue Road.
There is some waterlogging in some places; our four pumps are running, and we are pumping out all the water. We have also cleaned the sewers on time. Our resolution is that no citizen should face any inconvenience.”
Mayank Rawat
