New Delhi: For decades, photos of half-submerged buses stranded in the flooded Minto Bridge underpass have been representative of Delhi’s monsoon woes.This monsoon, several roads around Connaught Place and parts of Lutyens’ Delhi appeared to be heading towards a similar infamy, with key stretches remaining waterlogged for hours following showers.Feroz Shah Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, DDU Marg, Raisina Road and parts of CP’s Outer Circle were among the affected stretches. Severe waterlogging was also reported outside Shivaji Stadium Metro station, disrupting traffic and inconveniencing commuters.The situation has raised questions over the city’s stormwater drainage preparedness, particularly with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials claiming that accumulated water is generally drained within 35 to 40 minutes following a heavy spell of rainfall.Earlier, the council attributed recurring waterlogging around Outer Circle to the incomplete desilting of a 2-km network of Public Works Department (PWD) drains covering Outer Circle, Minto Road and DDU Marg.PWD officials acknowledged significant silt accumulation in it and said around 80% of the desilting was done. The remaining work is expected to be finished within 15 days, they added.However, Tuesday’s waterlogging on Feroz Shah Road and Baba Kharak Singh Marg, both away from this drain network, has raised questions over whether the problem reflects wider deficiencies in the overall drainage system.A senior NDMC official attributed Tuesday’s waterlogging primarily to the intensity of rainfall. “It was an exceptionally intense spell. During this period, all outfalls of the NDMC area in Barapullah basin were running full, slowing the discharge of stormwater,” the official said.Officials also pointed to the quantum of rainfall recorded Monday, saying the existing drainage system is designed to smoothly handle around 15 mm of rain. However, India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed Lodhi Road received 56.6 mm, Safdarjung 64.5 mm and Pragati Maidan 39.2 mm between 5.30pm Monday and 8.30am Tuesday.NDMC also rejected allegations of traders that the tunnels laid under CP’s Middle Circle were not functioning efficiently, contributing to the waterlogging. New Delhi Traders Association president Atul Bhargava questioned how one of the city’s most prominent commercial hubs continued to face basic infrastructure problems.The council claimed to have set up additional resources to tackle the situation. “Two extra 50-HP dewatering pumps have been deployed at Baba Khadak Singh Marg, along with jetting/grabbing machines, to clear inlets and remove any blockage or silt,” an official said. Teams are also checking the drainage network and downstream connectivity in coordination with other agencies.On waterlogging at locations like Feroz Shah Road, the officials said several factors, including local catchment, road levels, inlet capacity and downstream drainage conditions, could be responsible.Acknowledging severe waterlogging in parts of CP and near Minto Bridge, NDMC chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said control rooms were activated to share information about priority areas. Vulnerable locations were identified, pumps deployed and sump wells desilted, he added. NDMC is looking at greater use of technology and rainwater harvesting as long-term measures to prevent recurring waterlogging, he said.
