Two PWD engineers suspended for shoddy work in desilting of drains

NEW DELHI: Delhi Government's Public Works Department (PWD) on Tuesday suspended two engineers after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered action following shoddy work in the desilting of drains.

A senior engineer and a junior engineer have been suspended by the PWD, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters here.

Kejriwal on Monday found that drains reported to have been desilted were still choked and ordered action against concerned officers, saying no laxity will be tolerated on issues which concerned public health. He conducted an inspection of the desilting of drains in three locations in Ambedkar Nagar area of south Delhi and found discrepancies in the official reports submitted by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the actual situation on the ground.

“On paper, they (officers) said 100 per cent desilting work has been done, but it was all false. I have directed the PWD Secretary to suspend the responsible officer by evening,” he had said.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday directed all agencies/departments responsible for cleaning and desilting of drains to ensure prevention of water logging of roads in the national capital.

The meeting was attended by the officials of PWD, DJB, Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Cantonment Board, DSIIDC, three MCDS and NDMC.

In the meeting, the PWD informed that the Department has already set-up a fully functional unified control room, which will function 24 hours to deal with the waterlogging complaints.

Any person could register complaints about waterlogging of roads can be lodged at the toll free number : 1800-118595 and Whatsapp number : 8130188222

PWD will refer these complaints to concerned agencies/ departments.

The Minister directed all agencies to ensure that there is no waterlogging in their respective areas during Monsoon. Vulnerable points should be monitored and manpower, machinery should be kept ready to deal with the situation.

Jain directed that public complaints should be addressed on priority and call centres kept functional at all times.