HC asks Delhi Govt to study NH-48 drain feasibility

The Delhi High Court has asked city authorities to examine the feasibility of constructing a stormwater drain along the stretch of National Highway-48 between Mahipalpur and Rangpuri village here to prevent waterlogging.

Noting that the highway leads to Gurugram and is close to the IGI Airport, a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora directed the Special Task Force under Delhi Government chief secretary to hold a specific meeting on the issue and file a report after interacting with all stakeholders.

The stakeholders are Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, National Highways Authority of India, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, and Public Works Department.

The bench said that if required, the task force would also interact with the GMR Group, which is part of the consortium that runs the Delhi airport. The court was hearing a petition by NGO Social Jurist seeking construction of a functional stormwater drainage system along the stretch of NH-48 between Mahipalpur and Rangpuri village.

The petitioner showed pictures to the court to demonstrate how the area, including the Mahipalpur crossing, was getting submerged due to severe waterlogging during the rainy season.

“Considering the importance of the location of this area ie, near the airport and being the access road to the Gurugram area, issue notice in this matter to the Respondents,” ordered the court on July 23.

“The Special Task Force... supervised by the Chief Secretary, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, shall hold a specific meeting for this National Highway and file a report after interacting with all the relevant stakeholders including Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, National Highways Authority of India, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Public Works Department and if required with the GMR Group which is Respondent No.3, for examining the feasibility of constructing a storm water drain in this area to prevent waterlogging,” it said.

The court directed that the first meeting of the stakeholders shall be held on any date between August 3 and August 7, and sought a status report from the authorities by the next date of hearing.

The matter would be heard next on September 18.