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The annual monsoon season in Delhi-NCR has once again brought the region to its knees, exposing the perennial problem of severe waterlogging and the apparent lack of effective preparedness. Despite claims of early planning and dedicated budgets, a heavy spell of rain was enough to cripple the city, bringing traffic to a standstill, flooding residential colonies, and raising the familiar question: why does the capital of the country still sink at the first sight of rain? This recurring issue is not merely a matter of unfortunate weather; it is a symptom of deeper systemic problems, including a complex web of responsibilities split across multiple civic bodies, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of coordination among the agencies responsible for drainage and sewage management. The article highlights the key factors contributing to the crisis and the various entities involved, painting a picture of a fragmented and ineffective system struggling to cope with the predictable challenges of the monsoon season.
One of the primary reasons for Delhi's monsoon woes is the fragmented nature of its governance structure when it comes to drainage and sewage management. At least half a dozen different agencies are involved, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. Each agency is responsible for different zones and types of drains, leading to overlapping jurisdictions and a lack of clear accountability. For example, the MCD is responsible for sanitation across nearly 96 per cent of Delhi's area and about 98 per cent of its population, including cleaning drains along roads narrower than 60 feet, mostly inside residential colonies. While the MCD received a dedicated allocation of Rs 36 crore for this purpose, the civic body admitted that it had cleaned only 75 per cent of the drains under its jurisdiction by the time the monsoon arrived. This highlights a significant gap between allocated resources and actual implementation. On the other hand, larger drains along major roads such as Ring Road, ITO, and Minto Road, areas notorious for chronic waterlogging, fall under the domain of the PWD. Despite the Delhi government's campaign to avoid waterlogging, these key arterial routes were among the worst affected, with water standing ankle-deep on several stretches under PWD's 1,259 km of road network. This division of responsibilities, coupled with a lack of coordination and oversight, creates a situation where no single agency is fully accountable for ensuring the city's drainage system is functioning effectively.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), responsible for the city's sewer system, faces its own set of challenges. The city's crumbling sewer infrastructure, much of which is decades old and not equipped to handle the current population load, exacerbates the problem of street-level flooding. A total of Rs 450 crore was allocated in the city's annual budget to upgrade this infrastructure, but the scale of the problem is such that progress has been slow. Even when drains are cleaned, overflowing or clogged sewers lead to street-level flooding, rendering the cleaning efforts largely ineffective. A comprehensive masterplan was drawn up back in 2014 to address these systemic issues, but 11 years later, most of it remains on paper. This lack of implementation points to a deeper issue of bureaucratic inertia and a failure to prioritize long-term infrastructure development. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department oversees major stormwater drains that discharge directly into the Yamuna, including the Najafgarh, Shahdara, Kushak, and Barapullah drains. Every year, a flood control order is issued before the monsoon, and inter-agency meetings are held to monitor the Yamuna's water level and clean these major channels. However, the impact of these measures on the ground remains questionable, as high-intensity rain spells continue to cripple the city. This suggests that the current flood control measures are either inadequate or not being implemented effectively.
Furthermore, the article highlights that even areas managed by agencies like the NDMC, which is responsible for some of Delhi's most elite zones, including Lutyens' Delhi, are not immune to waterlogging. This indicates that the problem is not solely confined to areas with older or less-developed infrastructure. Ongoing construction work that hampers drainage flow was cited as a contributing factor in these areas. Similarly, the DDA, responsible for colonies like Rohini, Dwarka, and Sarita Vihar, is tasked with maintaining drains in its areas, but these areas too face waterlogging issues. This widespread problem underscores the need for a more holistic and coordinated approach to drainage management, rather than relying on individual agencies to address the issue in isolation. The article concludes by highlighting the frustration of Delhi-NCR residents who are left asking the same question every monsoon: why does the capital of the country still sink at the first sight of rain? This question reflects a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the city's infrastructure and governance, and a growing demand for more effective solutions to the perennial problem of waterlogging. The lack of accountability and coordination among various agencies, coupled with delayed infrastructure upgrades, means that citizens suffer the consequences of a failed system. Therefore, a paradigm shift is necessary, one that prioritizes accountability, inter-agency coordination, and long-term planning to mitigate the disastrous impacts of monsoon flooding.
The solution to Delhi's waterlogging problem requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the systemic issues at the root of the problem. First and foremost, there needs to be a clear delineation of responsibilities and a single agency held accountable for the overall management of the city's drainage system. This could involve consolidating the various agencies responsible for drainage and sewage management into a single, unified body, or establishing a clear chain of command and accountability among the existing agencies. Secondly, there needs to be a significant investment in upgrading the city's aging infrastructure. This includes not only repairing and replacing old sewer lines and drains but also expanding the capacity of the drainage system to handle the increasing population load and the more frequent and intense rainfall events that are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Thirdly, there needs to be a greater emphasis on inter-agency coordination. This could involve establishing a joint task force comprising representatives from all relevant agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive drainage management plan. This plan should include measures to ensure that drains are regularly cleaned and maintained, that construction projects do not obstruct drainage flow, and that there is a coordinated response to flooding events. Fourthly, there needs to be greater public awareness and participation. Residents need to be informed about the importance of keeping drains clear and avoiding activities that can contribute to flooding, such as dumping garbage into drains. Finally, there needs to be a greater commitment to long-term planning and sustainability. This includes incorporating climate change projections into infrastructure planning and investing in green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavements, that can help to reduce runoff and alleviate flooding. By implementing these measures, Delhi can move towards becoming a more resilient and sustainable city that is better equipped to cope with the challenges of the monsoon season.
Source: Every year, same problem: Who is to blame for sinking Delhi-NCR after heavy rain?