Delhi LG VK Saxena inspects drains and water flows in Nizamuddin
Aug 04, 2024
New Delhi [India], August 4: The Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena inspected the Barapulla, Kushak, and Sunehri drains at Nizamuddin on Sunday.
The LG inspected drains at the Barapulla, Kushak & Sunehri drains & historic Barapulla bridge at Nizamuddin after the national capital last week experienced severe waterlogging, with over 300 complaints received by civic agencies and Delhi Police.
Heavy rains in Delhi caused waterlogging, leading to additional deaths and disruptions. Three students died in a waterlogged basement at a IAS coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar.
Taking to X, the LG of Delhi said that the ground reality at those places was appalling and shameful and that it requires corrective measures for the smooth flow of water to mitigate flooding.
"Visited and inspected the Barapulla, Kushak & Sunehri drains & historic Barapulla bridge at Nizamuddin today. The reality on the ground is appalling & shameful. It requires urgent corrective measures to ensure smooth flow of water to mitigate flooding," he said.
He further stated that the three arterial drains under the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have not been de-silted and unclogged for years.
He further claimed that the five of 12 bays under culverts at Barapulla, three out of six bays at Sunehri, and four out of seven bays at Kushak drains are open, and the remaining laid completely chocked, reducing the water carrying capacity.
"These 3 arterial drains are under I&FCD & MCD. They carry storm water into Yamuna and have not been desilted & declogged for years, despite claims to the contrary...Only 5 out of the 12 bays under culverts at Barapulla, 3 out of 6 bays at Sunehri & 4 out of 7 bays at Kushak drains are open, with the remaining lying completely chocked, drastically reducing water carrying capacity. This in turn leads to backflow & flooding in catchment colonies," he said.
He also paid a visit to the ASI-protected Barapulla bridge today and claimed that the bridge itself was heavily encroached. He further mentioned that only five culverts out of 12 under the bridge were partially open and the rest were chocked due to desiltation not having taken place for years.
"The ASI-protected historical Barapulla bridge is itself heavily encroached. Only 5 culverts of the 12 under the bridge are partially open. The rest are chocked due to desiltation not having taken place for years," he stated.
He further instructed his accompanying officials to desilt and declog the drains immediately to stop the hindering of water flow.
"Instructed accompanying officials to desilt & clear the clogged drains immediately. Asked for removal of debris & C&D waste, which were hindering the free flow of water. Also instructed to clear encroachments on Barapulla and restore the bridge to its original state within a week," he said.
