Corporations miss the deadline, again

Monsoon is here and as usual, the authorities are claiming to have completed the desilting of drains across the City. The tentative target of June 15 was set for the task and yes, they claim to have achieved their objective. Says Yogendra Singh Mann, director North/East Delhi Municipal Corporation very confidently: “Almost 100 per cent of our desilting work is done.

Our deadline was June 15 and as far as the drains of MCD are concerned, NDMC (North Delhi Municipal Corporation) and EDMC (East Delhi Municipal Corporation) have done their work.”
However, when Metrolife visited colonies like Karol Bagh, Jhandewalan, Paharganj and even areas in Connaught Place like the Outer Circle  and Rajiv Chowk, it was clear that desilting was but a figment of imagination. The entire roundabout of Rani Jhansi Road was submerged, following the heavy downpour on Tuesday while the road in front of the Jhandewalan Metro Station Exit 2 had also disappeared as also had the road leading to Mandir Marg, causing massive traffic jams during rush hour. 

Mann, on his part, stated that, “there are multiple organisations involved in the desilting work of street and irrigation drains. We are incharge of only the colony and street drains. Drains above 60ft and above are transferred to the Public Works Department (PWD) alongwith
the roads.” While NDMC claims to have achieved their objective, HP Singh, project leader, incharge of the restoration of Connaught Place says, “Our restoration work has almost been completed, except at gate number six of Rajiv Chowk metro station. Most of the drains here have also been desilted, apart from a few.” Clearly, truth belies the claims.

Prime South Delhi seems to be faring no better. The Moolchand underpass was completely submerged with the water level rising almost to the level of DTC bus windows following heavy rain! Making matters worse was the stretch between Khan Market and Defence Colony via JLN stadium which saw a massive traffic jam because the entire stretch has been dug up by Delhi Jal Board while desilting remains a dream!

Ajay Singh, member Resident Welfare Association (RWA), Defence Colony blames SDMC (South Delhi Municipal Corporation) for not being able to complete desilting in their area. “They have covered about 50-60 per cent of the area. The desilting work of drains is only half done,” says Singh. “These people lack initiative. We have submitted applications but nothing has happened.”

Other colonies seem to be faring no better. Says Kiran Sawhney, vice-president, RWA Vasant Kunj, “Ninety per cent of work in our area is pending! We are carrying out the desilting work privately. But sweepers do not have proper tools and the work is taking a lot of time.”

South Corporation Commissioner, Manish Gupta states that though they still await approval of IIT Delhi to bring in the suction machine, the work is complete! “According to my data, we have completed desilting. Initial desilting of drains has already been carried out. However, silt accumulation is a continuous process.” As for the machines, Gupta says, “We have ordered two machines and are expecting them to come within a month and a half. But the June 15 deadline was not for the machines for they are huge and mainly used for clearing of major blockages.”

Kiran says, “The pipes are blocked from inside which needs the machine. Unless we have the machine, proper desiltation of drains cannot be carried out.”