Waterlogging 100% govt’s negligence: Delhi BJP chief

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Tuesday, blaming it for the severe waterlogging issues plaguing Delhi following recent rains. Sachdeva condemned the Delhi government, the Delhi Jal Board, and the city’s 60 MLAs for their failure to address the persistent problem, which he says has turned the city into a “slum cluster.”

“The onset of rains has once again led to widespread waterlogging across Delhi, submerging areas from Badarpur to ITO and from Vasant Kunj to Najafgarh,” Sachdeva said. “This is 100 percent government negligence,” Sachdeva asserted. Sachdeva demanded that a list of permanent waterlogging sites be compiled and that security marshals be deployed to prevent accidents.

He highlighted how the city was brought to a standstill, with commuters navigating through waterlogged streets from morning until the afternoon.Sachdeva recounted a near-tragic incident under the Minto Bridge, where an auto driver narrowly escaped a fatal accident due to waterlogging, with similar issues reported at the Zakhira underpass.

Atishi writes to Union Minister

• Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi has written to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling for immediate action to resolve the waterlogging situation near Zakhira. In her letter, Atishi said the frequent waterlogging at Zakhira underpass was caused by water runoff from railway tracks and nearby areas. “The situation is so severe that today, after moderate rainfall, up to two feet of water accumulated at Zakhira underpass,” Atishi stated.
• She said it was previously agreed that Indian Railways would construct an additional drain and culvert on its land, with costs shared equally between the Railways and the Delhi Government’s PWD.
• The PWD fulfilled its financial commitment, depositing Rs 2.70 crore on July 18, 2023.
• However, Atishi expressed concern that “no culvert has been built by Indian Railways to date, leaving the situation unchanged.”