Pragati Maidan tunnel clogged after downpour — yet again

“Earlier, the issue was on our side. But we rectified it and the seepage and leakage problem has been resolved. Now, the tunnel gets waterlogged even after a 10-15-minute spell of rain,” said a PWD official.

Explaining why this happens, the official added: “The basement of the convention centre and the tunnel are connected… So water that gets accumulated in the basement (during rain) is pumped out and released into the main tunnel, which is not designed to manage this… Today was the same. We pump out the water as soon as it accumulates.”

“We have raised this issue with India Trade promotion Organisation (ITPO) officials and engineers concerned and have written to them regarding this issue,” the PWD official added.

When contacted, an official from the ITPO said, “The parking lot is under construction and it will take about a month for completion. Once it is done, water will be released through its own channel.”
As a temporary measure, the PWD has decided to deploy two quick response teams to address the issue. “As the G-20 Summit is around the corner, we have been given directions that there should be no waterlogging incident when delegates arrive in the capital. Two quick response stations will be stationed at Bhairon Marg that connects to the Ring Road underpass and Mathura Road.”

Officials said the teams will rectify any kind of road infrastructure-related issues — potholes, deficiency on the main carriageway and footpaths, waterlogging, open manholes, garbage — on the stretch around the convention centre and submit the report to the PWD headquarters for immediate redressal.

The agency which will be awarded the contract for road maintenance will be fined Rs 5,000 if it does not fulfill the terms and conditions.