By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday directed all civic and infrastructure agencies to complete pre-monsoon desilting of drains by June 30, stressing that delays would not be tolerated as the government steps up efforts to tackle chronic waterlogging in the capital.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, Gupta called for stronger inter-departmental coordination and adoption of modern machinery to ensure efficient drainage during the monsoon. She emphasised that only a synchronised approach among agencies would help prevent flooding at vulnerable locations.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and senior officials from the 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. Departments presented action plans covering desilting, drain construction, repairs and maintenance.
Gupta instructed departments to ensure that silt removed from drains is promptly transported to designated dumping sites to prevent re-entry into the system. She also flagged garbage clogging at drain inlets across markets and residential areas as a key contributor to waterlogging.
Citing Minto Road as a successful model, the Chief Minister noted that the stretch, once prone to severe flooding, did not witness waterlogging last monsoon due to sustained monitoring and timely intervention. She urged officials to replicate similar practices across the city.
Taking a firm stance on accountability, Gupta warned against blame-shifting among departments, stating that negligence or lack of coordination would invite strict action. “Collective responsibility is essential,” she said.
The Chief Minister also directed agencies to deploy advanced equipment where required and identify flooding hotspots in advance to enable quick response during heavy rainfall. Officials have been asked to remain in close coordination with field staff, who act as first responders during waterlogging incidents.
Gupta said she would personally conduct field inspections during the monsoon to assess preparedness and response on the ground.
Emphasising long-term solutions, she called for expedited work on Delhi’s drainage master plan and reducing reliance on pumps, which often fail during peak rains. “Temporary fixes are not enough. We need a scientific and sustainable system to free Delhi from recurring monsoon distress,” she said.
