Congress seeks Atishi’s resignation over waterlogging crisis in Capital

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 1
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the AAP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their repeated failure to prevent waterlogging in the city, despite earlier claims of being fully prepared for the monsoon season. Yadav’s remarks came after heavy rains on Wednesday evening once again led to widespread waterlogging across Delhi, crippling traffic and causing several fatalities.

‘No steps taken to improve infrastructure’
In the past 10 years, the Kejriwal government has taken no steps to replace the ageing drainage infrastructure. The BJP cannot escape the blame either. The question is: What are the seven BJP MPs from Delhi doing to improve the civic infrastructure. — Devender Yadav, Delhi Cong chief

“The repeated claims by the AAP government, its ministers and the AAP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) about making preparations to prevent another deluge in Delhi were once again proven unfounded when the entire city was waterlogged following heavy rains last evening,” Yadav said.
He pointed out that major roads, including ITO, Mathura Road, Tilak Bridge and Minto Road, were heavily flooded, causing hours-long traffic snarls.
Yadav expressed grave concern that the situation had become so dire that the courts had taken cognisance of the waterlogging issue, attributing it to the “inefficiency” and “inaction” of the Delhi Government. “It is a matter of grave concern that the court has taken cognisance of the waterlogging in Delhi,” he added.
The DPCC president called for the resignation of Water Minister Atishi, holding her responsible for the waterlogging and related deaths. Yadav also highlighted the ongoing blame game among Delhi ministers, which he described as “unfortunate and irresponsible”. He criticised the Delhi Government for failing to take emergency measures to prevent further flooding after the first two heavy monsoon spells had already caused significant waterlogging, resulting in multiple deaths.
“It is shocking that, despite the first two heavy monsoon spells leading to the deaths of four Civil Services aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar and Patel Nagar, and nearly 19 deaths overall in the past month due to drowning and electrocution, the government continues to engage in blame games rather than taking decisive action,” Yadav said.
He further pointed out that the extensive waterlogging exposed the alleged corruption in the desilting of drains and sewers, which he said had not been carried out effectively. “The new Parliament House, constructed at a staggering cost of Rs 1,200 crore, the posh NDMC areas and key underpasses like those at Bharat Mandapam and Pragati Maidan were all affected by waterlogging, exposing the huge corruption that had taken place in the name of desilting of drains,” Yadav remarked.
Yadav criticised the AAP government for not addressing Delhi’s aging drainage infrastructure over the past decade, blaming both the AAP and the BJP for the current state of affairs. “In the past 10 years, the Kejriwal government has taken no step to replace the ageing drainage infrastructure. Meanwhile, the BJP cannot escape blame either. The question arises: what were the seven BJP MPs from Delhi doing to improve the civic infrastructure from MP funds, despite the BJP being in power at the Centre and in the MCD till last year?” he questioned.