Panel formed to deal with waterlogging

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

Lt Governor Anil Baijal has set up a high-level committee to supervise desilting of drains and cover open manholes in the national Capital to ensure residents are not harried due to waterlogging problems during this coming monsoon.

The committee, to be headed by the Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary, comprises various agencies, including the Public Works Department, the three municipal corporations, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation , and the New Delhi Municipal Council , among others.

An official said agencies concerned have been asked to submit their detailed plans on the removal of silt from drains and roads by May 26, and also report on the list of drains they have completed desilting so far.

It is understood that the committee has worked out a plan to desilt by June 15 all 163 major drains in the city where with monsoon they are found overflowing resulting in causing mess and diseases.

The committee is supposed to coordinate the desilting work among the different agencies so that they don't indulge in blame game as seen every year.

The PWD is in charge of 1,260 km of roads in the capital while the rest fall under the jurisdiction of the three municipal bodies.