June 30 deadline set to tackle waterlogging
With the monsoon still weeks away, the Delhi Government has set a firm June 30 deadline to complete drain desilting across the city, as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta pushed for coordinated action to prevent the annual crisis of waterlogging.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister directed all departments to finish cleaning drains on time and ensure that vulnerable areas are prepared in advance. She made it clear that delays or negligence would not be accepted.
The Chief Minister said that managing waterlogging requires joint responsibility across agencies. She stressed that fragmented efforts and poor coordination in the past have worsened the situation on the ground.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and representatives from PWD, MCD, DMRC, NDMC, DDA, and the Delhi Cantonment Board, attended the meeting. Departments presented detailed plans on desilting, repair of drains, and other flood prevention measures.
The Chief Minister underlined that silt removed from drains must be properly transported to designated sites. She said blocked drains and uncollected silt often lead to overflow during heavy rain, causing water to spill onto roads and disrupt daily life.
She also flagged the issue of garbage clogging drain inlets in markets and residential areas. According to officials, such blockages are a major reason behind water accumulation at intersections and key stretches during rainfall.
Highlighting a successful intervention, the Chief Minister cited Minto Road as a model. The area, once known for severe flooding, did not face waterlogging last monsoon. The Chief Minister attributed this improvement to continuous monitoring and timely action by officials. She directed departments to replicate similar practices across other flood-prone areas. The focus, she said, should be on sustained efforts rather than temporary fixes.
Taking a firm stand on accountability, the Chief Minister warned against blame shifting among departments. She said any instance of agencies passing responsibility would invite strict action. Officials have been asked to work in close coordination and respond collectively during emergencies.
The Chief Minister also pushed for the use of modern machinery to tackle waterlogging more effectively. While some civic bodies have already deployed equipment, she asked others to adopt similar measures.
Officials were instructed to identify vulnerable points in advance and ensure that systems are in place to quickly drain out water during heavy rain. The Chief Minister said that relying only on traditional methods would not be enough to manage the scale of the problem.
She also stressed the importance of field-level monitoring during the monsoon. Engineers and ground staff have been asked to remain alert and maintain constant communication with senior officials.
The Chief Minister said she will personally conduct field visits during the rainy season to assess the situation and review preparedness.
