New Delhi: Public Works Department (PWD) has inspected 140 chronic waterlogging spots across the city to assess the ground situation and identify immediate measures to tackle the problem during the remaining monsoon.The inspections, undertaken in coordination with Delhi Police, followed lieutenant governor TS Sandhu’s direction during a meeting on Aug 25 to review the waterlogging situation after heavy rainfall in the city.The teams included senior PWD officials, including the principal secretary, special secretary and the engineer-in-chief, besides chief engineers and superintending engineers. Officials were asked to assess the reasons behind water accumulation and identify additional short-term measures that can be implemented within the existing infrastructure and available resources.The principal secretary inspected waterlogging-prone stretches along Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, while the special secretary covered MG Road, Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road and Mahipalpur bypass. The engineer-in-chief went to the locations in North zone, focusing on Nangloi-Najafgarh Road, Jahangirpuri metro station, Model Town and Lala Jagat Narain Marg.Chief engineers inspected the identified stretches under their respective jurisdictions, including chronic waterlogging points such as New Rohtak Road and 100 Feet Road in Burari, Balbir Singh Sidhu Marg, Prembari underpass and Palla in North zone, and Dabri Nala Road, RTR Marg and Najafgarh-Kapashera Road in South zone. Superintending engineers were tasked with ensuring that all identified locations in their jurisdictions were physically inspected.PWD minister Parvesh Verma said, “For us, every waterlogged road means inconvenience for a family, a worker, a student or someone trying to reach home. Our senior officers have inspected every identified location, understood the reasons behind the waterlogging and assessed immediate corrective measures wherever possible.”Verma added, “We will not wait for the next spell of rain to expose the same problem again. Accountability, quick response and continuous monitoring will remain our priority.”The teams examined drainage arrangements, outfall conditions, siltation and blockages in drains, availability and functioning of pumping arrangements, encroachments, other site-specific factors and duration of waterlogging.Delhi Traffic Police had identified 113 waterlogging locations till Aug 20, while 26 more spots were added following the Aug 24 rain.PWD officials will submit their assessments and recommendations covering both additional short-term interventions and long-term corrective measures to the principal secretary (PWD) by Aug 31.The officials on the ground will also be provided jackets and raincoats bearing the department’s logo to help establish accountability and fix responsibility.
