Minister Parvesh inspects key roads ahead of monsoon

Ahead of the monsoon season, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday undertook an extensive on-ground inspection of key arterial roads and vulnerable stretches across South Delhi to assess the city’s preparedness.

The visit, conducted under the “Government on Wheels” initiative, saw the minister travelling with senior officials from multiple departments, turning the exercise into a real-time review of infrastructure readiness.

Emphasising the importance of physical inspections, Verma said, “When you come to these locations yourself, the situation becomes very clear. You can see what has improved, where work is slow and what could turn into a problem once heavy rain begins.”

The inspection covered several critical points known for waterlogging and traffic disruption during the monsoon such as Moolchand Crossing, AIIMS Crossing, Chattarpur Metro stretch, Nelson Mandela Marg, Munirka Flyover and Vivekanand Marg along with several underpasses.

At several locations, the minister stepped out to personally examine drains, desilting work and road conditions. Officials identified incomplete cleaning, blocked outlets and potential choke points, with strict instructions issued for time-bound corrective action.

“These are not small issues. A partially cleaned drain or a blocked outlet is enough to disrupt an entire stretch. The focus right now is to remove every such weak point before the rains test the system,” Verma said.

Special attention was given to low-lying areas and underpasses, which are particularly vulnerable to water accumulation even during short spells of heavy rainfall. Officials were directed to ensure these stretches remain fully operational during peak monsoon conditions.

The presence of several departments during the inspection enabled on-the-spot coordination and resolution of overlapping responsibilities, particularly concerning drainage, road maintenance and civic works, an issue that has historically contributed to delays. Officials noted that while preparations are underway across most corridors, consistent execution and timely completion of pending work will be crucial in the coming weeks.