No easy solution to waterlogging problem, govt tells HC

The government had appointed IIT-Delhi civil engineering professor A K Gosain as a consultant in 2012 to study the drainage system in the city. The minutes of a meeting, regarding waterlogging submitted to the court on Wednesday, indicated that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Cantonment Board were yet to provide complete data on the condition of the stormwater and sewerage drains in their areas.

The report also stated that the Delhi Jal Board had admitted that over 45 per cent of Delhi does not have sewers, and untreated waste was running off into the storm water drains.

During the hearing, the Residents’ Welfare Association of South Extension also stated that the Kushak nullah, which is the main stormwater drain for the area, was being partially covered by the civic agencies for various “developmental projects” despite clear court orders stating that stormwater drains were not to be covered so that desilting could be done.

The Barapullah bridge Phase-II will cover part of the Kushak nullah, while a parking and office space is being created by covering the trunk sewer in South Extension.

The High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the problem of waterlogging in the capital in 2012, and had issued a slew of directions to the civic agencies on the maintenance of drains and creating a proper drainage system.