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To avert a repeat of the recent waterlogging at Pragati Maidan tunnel, especially with the G-20 Summit scheduled in September, the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to directly monitor the structure from its central control room at its headquarters, situated around a kilometre away, and take immediate measures in case of an increase in water levels.
According to a senior PWD official, since its inauguration last year, the tunnel was being monitored by zonal offices and maintained by a private company, which constructed the project.
“However, with recent incidents of waterlogging, which led to the closure of tunnel for five days straight, the department has decided to directly link the CCTV cameras and alarms there with the central control room. This would enable the officers to get live feed and in case of waterlogging or any other emergency, take immediate action,” the official added.
Officials said that the PWD currently has a team of dedicated officials who monitor the Pragati Maidan tunnel ahead of rain. “But the same officials also look after other projects and roads, which makes it difficult for them to monitor the tunnel 24×7. But now, the central control room will be able to directly monitor it,” said an official.
Currently, the live feed from the CCTV cameras installed inside the tunnel is streamed to the zonal office/control room of the PWD.
The department is also installing water alarms that will alert and inform the headquarters if the water level increases up to six inches or above, said officials.
Waterlogging, seepage and leakage on the surface of the road has been a persistent problem ever since the 1.3-km long tunnel that connects India Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, Noida and South East Delhi was inaugurated in June 2022. To fix the issue, the department took steps, including grouting work to stop the leakage. However, that could not prevent waist-deep waterlogging a few weeks ago and the tunnel had to be closed for five days.
PWD officials said the reason for the waterlogging was water being released from the ITPO’s parking basement. “The tunnel is not designed to handle the excess water coming from the basement of ITPO. Hopefully, now with the inauguration of the convention centre, they will not release the water into the tunnel’s drain,” said an official.
The tunnel provides direct access to the parking basement of ITPO. The Pragati Maidan tunnel has a total of 128 CCTV cameras, alarms, and SOS emergency calls.
The tunnel is expected to be exclusively used by foreign delegates, ministers and other senior political leaders during the G-20 summit, which will be held in the capital from September 8 to 10.
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