Monsoon showers since the first week of July have already begun hitting the flow of traffic in the Capital, slowing it down or bringing it to a standstill due to waterlogging on major stretches near ITO intersection, Connaught Place, South Extension and Defence Colony, among others.
Exposing the claims of the civic bodies’ preparedness to tackle waterlogging and traffic problems, complaints have come in also from areas like Laxmi Nagar, Minto Road, Lajpat Rai Market, Moolchand flyover, Malviya Nagar, Kashmere Gate and Ring Road.
In the first week of July itself, vehicles were seen making their way through water in almost all parts of the city. “Laxmi Nagar main market was waterlogged on Friday evening. To reach Vikas Marg, it was like hell. The whole road was in knee-deep water,” said Abhinandan Khurana, a marketing executive headed towards Connaught Place. “I generally take 25 minutes to reach my office in Safdarjung Enclave from Mayur Vihar, but today it took more than an hour. There was waterlogging all around. Auto drivers were not ready to take passengers due to heavy waterlogging,” said Manya Dutta, an official in a government department.
Another man covered Minto Road to ITO in 30 minutes. Normally, it takes just five minute. He said the authorities had failed to solve the problem of waterlogging.
“The water was knee-high from Ashram to Lajpat Nagar. Civic agencies always claim that drains are desilted before monsoon. But the waterlogging that happens on major roads when it rains does not justify their claim,” said Sonam Goel, a commuter.
According to the traffic police, vehicle movement during monsoon slows down also on GT Karnal Road, Narela Circle, Vikas Marg, Nizamuddin, Chhata Road, Shanti Van and Vidhan Sabha Road, Rani Jhansi Road and Azad Market Road.
“Traffic slows down due to waterlogging on either one or both lanes on most of these roads. At some points pedestrians are also forced to walk on roads,” said Sudhir Yadav, special commissioner of police (traffic).
“Motorcyclists are also seen struggling on most of the roads, which leads to traffic jams. Civic agencies have been using pumps to remove water and bringing some relief to Delhiites,” he said.
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