Delhi PWD Minister orders suspension of engineer over poor drainage

“PWD is responsible for cleaning and desilting the drainage along the stretch but no work or maintenance is being done on the ground. The situation on the ground tells a different story. After inspecting the roads in Patparganj, East Delhi, I have given directions to suspend the engineer responsible for this drain and road, ” said the Minister.

“I have ordered the suspension of the engineer accountable for this negligence. There will be no tolerance for inefficiency,” said Singh.  Commenting on the “working style” of officers, Singh said they had become ‘thick-skinned’ and indifferent towards their responsibilities in the past 10 years.

Last year, before and during the monsoons, a war of words had broken out between officers and former AAP ministers, with the latter alleging that PWD staff were neither desilting drains nor following directions passed by ministers.

AAP had also demanded that “errant” officers be transferred.

Since the Services Department does not come under the elected government in Delhi, ministers can only suggest action. In the case of PWD, all engineers come under the direct control of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president and former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj reacted to Singh’s statement and posted on X, “Please don’t mind, the elected Delhi government cannot suspend any officer. This power has been snatched from the Delhi government by the BJP-led Central government. The Centre had told the Supreme Court that these powers cannot be given to an elected government.” Later, the Minister inspected other roads and drains in other parts of East Delhi and found them to be in a state of disrepair, officials said.

Earlier this week, the PWD issued an order to all officials to conduct daily inspections and submit reports daily. It also warned that those not following these directions would face disciplinary action. The PWD, in its order, said “junior engineers/assistant engineers and executive engineers were not conducting proper periodic inspection of roads”.

“They are not even aware of potholes, patches, broken footpaths and kerbstones, poor condition of the central verge, encroachments and dumped malba etc… They are also not using PWD e-monitoring application. This is a very serious issue and the attention of senior officers is warranted,” the order read.

Officers have been asked to carry out field inspections daily, including Saturdays and submit daily briefs with pictures on the e-monitoring app.