Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday chaired a review meeting on the city’s chronic waterlogging woes to chart out a more effective response to the issue and directed all departments concerned to complete desilting of drains on time and ensure special arrangements at known flooding hotspots.
Emphasising coordination, Gupta said only a joint well-synchronised effort would help the city manage waterlogging during the monsoon.
She underlined the need to move towards systems that minimise dependence on pumps for water removal.
Notably, June 30 has been set as the deadline for de-silting of drains in the national capital with no scope for any delays at the meeting attended by Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma along with senior officials from the PWD, MCD, DMRC, NDMC, DDA and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
The departments presented their action plans, detailing ongoing and proposed work related to desilting, drain construction, repairs and cleaning.
Reviewing the progress, the CM made it clear that any laxity would not be tolerated and all the departments have been instructed to ensure that the removed silt is transported to designated sites.
She also flagged the recurring issue of garbage clogging drain inlets in markets, streets and residential areas, which often leads to water accumulation at intersections and key stretches.
Gupta pointed to Minto Road as a positive example, noting that the area did not witness waterlogging last monsoon despite a long history of flooding.
She credited continuous monitoring and timely intervention for the improvement, adding that sustained efforts by officials helped remove a long-standing blot.
CM Gupta stressed that lack of coordination among departments has often worsened the situation, with agencies passing the buck. “This cannot continue,” she asserted, warning that any complaints of negligence or blame-shifting would invite strict action.
She directed officials to procure modern machinery wherever required to deal with waterlogging more efficiently, and the MCD and NDMC shared details of equipment already in use.
The Chief Minister urged other departments to follow suit and asked officials to identify vulnerable points in advance and ensure systems are in place to quickly drain out water during heavy rainfall.
The officials have been instructed to stay in constant touch with engineers and ground staff during the monsoon, as they are the first responders to waterlogging incidents. The Chief Minister said she will personally conduct field visits with senior officials to assess the situation on the ground.
Reiterating her focus on long-term planning, Gupta said Delhi must build a system that does not rely heavily on pumps, which often fail or face technical issues during rains. While pumps may still be needed in some areas, they cannot be the primary solution.
She called for expeditious work on the drainage master plan and stressed that a scientific, structured approach is essential for a lasting solution.