New Delhi: Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, newly appointed chairperson of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Wednesday apologised “to everyone in NDMC area who faced difficulties due to instances of waterlogging” Tuesday.On Monday and Tuesday, several parts of the heart of the city, including prominent roads and localities, were inundated after heavy rainfall. On Tuesday, TOI reported how the agency’s efforts to tackle the recurring problem were proving inadequate.“Usually, we are able to clear waterlogging within 15-20 minutes. But despite our best efforts, in at least three to four areas, water took more than an hour to drain out. There was more than 72 mm of rainfall in less than two hours and this was quite unexpected. But this cannot be an excuse and we will have to strengthen our systems to deal with such situations in future,” Dwivedi posted on X.He told TOI while measures to tackle waterlogging were in place, the council’s assessment and preparedness didn’t adequately account for the changing nature of rainfall, particularly intense showers occurring in short spells and across limited pockets.NDMC has initiated work on both short- and long-term measures to address the recurring problem. As part of its immediate interventions, it has installed high-capacity pumps at waterlogging hotspots, including CP Outer Circle near Panchkuian Road, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mandir Marg T-point and Talkatora.Near the metro station, NDMC had expected accumulated water to drain within 15 to 20 minutes, but it took nearly 90 minutes. “While additional pumps will cater to the immediate requirement, each of them is being provided long pipes to discharge water into drains farther away and not under pressure or already overflowing,” Dwivedi said.NDMC has increased the frequency of desilting sump wells, drains and bell mouths to eliminate the possibility of clogging and consequent waterlogging on roads.As part of its long-term measures, it has begun a review of its drainage infrastructure. “We will assess whether the current network is adequate to meet the requirements of the growing population and changing rainfall patterns, and identify locations where drainage capacity needs to be enhanced,” the chairperson said.The proposed overhaul will also focus on improving the carrying capacity of drains, identifying bottlenecks and strengthening infrastructure at waterlogging hotspots. “We aim to complete the task before the next monsoon,” he said.NDMC is working on a multi-channel water-harvesting system that will be able to absorb accumulated rainwater within 15 to 20 minutes.NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal said, “We have carried out proper desilting and addressed infrastructure dating back to British era.”
