Desilting to be over by May, say MCDs

THE STEP WAS TAKEN AFTER A MEETING OF CIVIC BODY OFFICIALS WITH DELHI LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANIL BAIJAL

The heavy mid-summer rain has raised the alarm for the municipal bodies to speed up the desilting drive to avoid waterlogging during monsoon.

On Monday, the three corporations came out with detailed reports on the desilting of drains done till May 15 and steps taken to finish the work by May 31.

The total numbers of drains with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation are 221, which cover 123.08 kilometres. As per the report, work is in progress at 146 drains and 75% of the work has been completed. “Till May 14, of the proposed 51,786 metric tonnes, 38,794 MT silt had been removed from drains,” said a senior EDMC official.

In North MCD, the numbers of nallahs in the authorised and unauthorised colonies are 195. They cover 114 km. Of the targeted amount (8,445.91 MT), the engineering department has removed 5,282.6 MT silt and finished 63% work. In South MCD, 11,531 MT was removed till May 15, according to the report.

The step was taken after a meeting of civic body officials with Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Saturday.

He had constituted a highlevel committee to look into desilting of drains and open manholes in the city.

Praveen Gupta, commissioner North MCD, said while the corporations are expect to finish the work by May, an inspection would be done with secretary PWD to find out the arrangements made for vulnerable spots.

“While we clear the drains before monsoon, the work goes in vain because the bigger drains on PWD roads are not cleared by agencies like DSIIDC, Irrigation & Flood Control Department and PWD. We have identified at least 20 vulnerable points on PWD roads such as Azadpur Chowk, GT Road, Lal Bagh Cluster, Pitampura, near Chhatrasal Stadium, Rohtak Road (near Peeragarhi) and Lal Bagh jhuggi cluster. The report has been shared with the department,” he said.

“In our area too, 11 points have been identified and work is in progress,” he said further.

The department will also fix the responsibility of the nodal office in-charge in each ward. “If complaints of waterlogging continue disciplinary action would be taken against the staff including suspension,” said Gupta. Similar responsibilities are fixed in south and east MCD.

Meanwhile, the traffic police has also shared a list of 340 points where waterlogging is seen every monsoon. “Besides cleaning the drains, concerned departments have been requested to arrange water pumps,” said Garima Bhatnagar, joint commissioner of police.