Desilting deadline approaching, PWD engineers in Delhi told to conduct joint inspection with I&FC officials

However, officials said that the PWD has completed only 25% of the desilting work falling under its jurisdiction. PWD looks after around 2,026 km of drains running along the roads, which merge with the biggest drains like Najafgarh and Barapullah drain, managed by I&FC. As per officials, the I&FC has finished 66% of the desilting work so far.

An order issued by the PWD on Wednesday read, “Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, has directed that all executive engineers working in field divisions jointly inspect all drains of PWD falling in their jurisdiction against the correspondence jurisdictions of executive engineers working for the I&FC department. Apparently, this exercise has not commenced yet.”

“It is, therefore, again directed that this exercise be undertaken immediately from today and conclude in the next week (by May 28). The coordination issues, if any, need to be resolved between the relevant Chief Engineers of both departments. A simple performa in which a report is to be filled is enclosed for reference and use,” the order further read. IAS officer Navin Kumar Chaudhary was recently relieved of charge of ACS, General Administration Department, and given additional charge of PWD. He also heads the I&FC.

The PWD minister held a meeting with the department last week and directed the officials to conduct an inspection of the ongoing work at all seven critical points and submit a report to him. The Minister also directed the PWD to prepare advance suspension orders for 335 Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers (EEs). If any waterlogging occurs in the areas where these officials are appointed as local in-charges during the monsoon season, the responsible official will be immediately suspended, he underlined.

Ahead of the monsoon, a total of 445 waterlogging hotspots have been identified in Delhi. Apart from this, seven critical points have been identified — Minto Bridge underpass, Pul Prahladpur underpass, Ring Road opposite the WHO building, under the Zakhira flyover, Loni Road roundabout, Jahangirpuri Metro Station Road, and Karala Kanjhawala Road.