Traffic congestion overwhelms commuters

Tribune Reporters

New Delhi, July 16

Severe traffic congestion due to waterlogging following heavy rainfall in several areas of the national Capital today overwhelmed commuters, with long tailbacks of vehicles seen at major intersections and roads.

South Delhi was among the worst-hit where traffic was thrown out of gear during peak hours this morning.

Severe waterlogging was reported near AIIMS, IIT-Delhi, Ashram-DND flyway, Moolchand underpass, Jasola, Panchsheel flyover, Yusuf Sarai, Adhchini, South Extension and in several other areas on the Ring Road.

“Commuters, who tried to take diversions from the arterial stretches, ended up being stranded in areas like Safdarjung Enclave, Defence Colony and Lodhi Colony,” said an official of the Transport Department.

“Fortunately, it was a weekend and the water accumulated on major road stretches had reduced significantly by the peak hours. Had it been a regular weekday, things would have been worse,” said Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sandeep Goel.

A senior official of the Transport Department said, “Waterlogging at the mouth of the IP flyover continued till noon, due to which traffic coming from Rajghat and elevated Ring Road had to be diverted. The trouble was caused by a sewer leakage, which the civic body officials should look into”.

The Met Department said Safdarjung observatory recorded 43.4 mm of rainfall while 41.66 mm of rainfall was recorded at Palam observatory till 8:30 am today. 

Blame game follows 

Blame game followed between the civic agencies after heavy downpour led to water-logging in several areas across the city. 

Both the BJP-led municipal corporations and the AAP government’s Public Works Department (PWD) hurled charges at each other over desilting of drains.

PWD Minister Satyendar Jain accompanied by senior department officials today took stock of the situation.

Leader of the House in SDMC, Subhash Arya, claimed that the civic agency had cleaned all drains under its jurisdiction and the problem was due to the PWD-managed drains.

However, the Delhi government’s PWD in response said it was observed that the problem of waterlogging work occurred because of lot of flow of silt from the MCD drains, which were upstream of the PWD drains. 

The PWD Flood Control Room received a total of 584 complaints today by 1:00 pm, out of which 408 were attended by 1 pm.