Delhi: PWD tries to fix waterlogging issue at Pul Prahaladpur underpass before arrival of monsoon

An official added, “Rain or no rain, Pul Prahaladpur underpass remains clogged throughout the year owing to the low-capacity and ill-maintained trunk line that releases water into the main stormwater drain. But the situation gets critical during the monsoon.”

“Last monsoon, a man drowned, and we had to close the entire underpass. However, we already have a 500 HP water pump and the department is also installing a stormwater drain, which will have the capacity to clear out 60 lakh litre water per hour,” the official added.

Further, the PWD is installing alarms and CCTV cameras to closely monitor the area, officials said. The executive engineers as well as the junior engineer concerned will monitor the drainage capacity round the clock on their phones through a live feed. Besides, if the water level rises beyond the permissible limit, alarms will alert pump operators to remove the water or switch on the pumps, they added.

Apart from this, the department has also selected 15 other critical locations including Zakira flyover, Azadpur underpass and the IP Estate Ring Road, and has identified 147 waterlogging hotspots where desilting work is underway.

“During the monsoon, waste from temporary drains built by railways blocks the Zakira underpass. Due to this, the water pumps get clogged and cause waterlogging in the area. So, we have decided to install screens and modify the drains to avoid the waterlogging issue,” said an official.

Another critical location which sees heavy waterlogging is IP Estate Ring Road, Opposite WHO Building. Here the department is planning to construct a 1.5-litre sump and stormwater drain from the old IP Power Plant to the Yamuna river and nine temporary pumps will also be installed to suck the water out on an immediate basis.

The PWD is further preparing an action plan to prevent waterlogging at Jahangirpuri metro station, including the construction of a drain along with a service road. Remodelling of a stormwater drain and construction of a permanent pump house have also been included under the action plan.

“Despite Minto bridge drain lines being quite old, we resolved the never-ending waterlogging issue in the area and there were no major incidents of waterlogging last year. The department is working on full swing to repair and desilt the drains to prevent waterlogging and mishaps on PWD roads this monsoon ,” said the official.

Apart from this, the work of desilting of storm drains in Delhi is also going on at a fast pace. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has directed the officials that the desilting work of all drains should be completed before May 31.

“The desilting of all drains on PWD roads is going on. The work will be completed before the advent of monsoon,” an official said. The department maintains around 1,400 km of key roads in Delhi.