CM, Parvesh inspect flood-prone areas

With monsoon approaching, the Delhi Government has intensified its efforts to tackle the city’s recurring issue of waterlogging.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, accompanied by L-G VK Saxena and Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma, on Friday inspected multiple flood-prone areas, including Minto Bridge, ITO and the Ring Road stretch near the World Health Organisation (WHO) office.

The high-level inspection aimed at reviewing the readiness of civic agencies to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon season.

Addressing the media during the inspection, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said automated pumping systems were being installed across waterlogging hotspots, supported by 24×7 on-site operators.

“This time, the government is undertaking well-planned and timely preparations so that situations like submerged buses and inaccessible pumps at Minto Bridge don’t recur,” she said.

The CM revealed that a 2.5-km pipeline has also been laid at Minto Bridge to drain water directly to the discharge point.

Gupta slammed previous governments for neglecting the city’s drainage system. “They never paid serious attention to desilting and maintenance of major drains. We are now removing thousands of tonnes of silt using modern machinery,” she said, adding that this season’s preparations were not symbolic but part of a long-term campaign to rid Delhi of waterlogging.

Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma, who accompanied the CM, reaffirmed the government’s resolve. “We are prepared on every front. Departments like PWD, MCD, NDMC, Flood Control and the Delhi Police are working in close coordination. Our goal is to ensure that no lane, road or intersection suffers from waterlogging this monsoon,” he said.

He said alternative arrangements, including additional pump sets, were being installed at locations where construction was still ongoing.

During the visit, the CM expressed dissatisfaction over the desilting progress at Tilak Bridge and directed officials to act immediately.

Officials from various departments, including the PWD, Urban Development Department, Irrigation & Flood Control, Delhi Jal Board and the MCD, were present during the inspection.

Gupta said this was a collective effort where accountability would be ensured. “Departments will be held responsible for any lapse in preparations. The aim is to ensure Delhiites do not suffer due to waterlogging this season,” she stressed.

The government has launched this mission-mode campaign with the intent of permanent transformation.

Work on mission mode: CM

Meanwhile, CM Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review Delhi’s preparedness for monsoon-related challenges. Top officials from various departments attended the meeting. The CM directed all departments to work on mission mode to resolve issues of waterlogging, traffic congestion, dark spots and drain cleaning. She announced that nodal officers would be appointed for each waterlogging point and warned that officials would be held accountable for any lapses.

A total of 194 waterlogging-prone areas have been identified and short-term work has been completed at 129 sites. Departments have been instructed to finish the wok on the remaining sites swiftly, with joint inspections by the PWD and the NHAI. An integrated control room will be set up for better coordination. The CM also ordered the removal of illegal banners and posters from public property.

On traffic, Gupta said 233 congestion points must be decongested urgently. Addressing public safety, she set a 10-day deadline for fixing lighting at all identified dark spots.

Delhi