High Court orders Waterlogging Oversight Agency

During the hearing of two petitions addressing waterlogging and traffic congestion in Delhi during the monsoon season, the Delhi High Court on Monday recommended the establishment of a specialized agency to supervise stormwater drainage and address waterlogging concerns.

This suggestion emerged from the court’s observation of a perceived lack of coordination among various agencies involved in managing these issues. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar presented a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing diverse challenges related to waterlogging and sewage management in the national capital during the proceedings.

The High Court emphasized the need for a dedicated agency, underlining the importance of streamlined efforts and effective coordination to manage and prevent waterlogging effectively. The suggestion aligns with the court’s concern about the apparent disjointed approach of multiple agencies currently handling stormwater drainage and related issues.

Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar took the opportunity to present a strategic plan during the hearing, demonstrating the government’s commitment to tackling the challenges posed by waterlogging and sewage management in Delhi. The plan presumably includes measures to enhance stormwater drainage infrastructure, improve coordination among agencies, and implement effective solutions to alleviate waterlogging during the monsoon season.

Additionally, Chief Secretary Kumar urged the restoration and rejuvenation of the Yamuna river, recognizing the interconnected nature of water management in the region. The court likely acknowledged the significance of addressing both localized issues like waterlogging and broader ecological concerns related to river restoration.

Illustrating their point with a specific case in the New Delhi area, Mathura Road, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora apprised Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar that a house in the mentioned location faces significant challenges, getting submerged in six feet of water every monsoon.

The bench further highlighted the involvement of multiple agencies, such as the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Public Works Department (PWD), in various works spanning a one or two-kilometer stretch between Mathura Road and the Yamuna river. This example was presented to emphasize the urgent need for a cohesive and coordinated approach to address waterlogging issues in the region effectively.

The bench expressed its concerns over the lack of coordination among various departments involved within the one to two-kilometer stretch towards the Yamuna river, stating, “How many departments are involved between one and two kms to Yamuna? There is no coordination between them… The new tunnels also have the problem of flooding.

Things are very difficult to deal with so many authorities… Our initial thought was that you should send in a specialist organization to identify the issue and provide guidance on how to get the authorities to work together,” as communicated orally to Chief Secretary Kumar. The bench’s recommendation for a specialized agency underscores the need for a more streamlined and effective management approach to address the complex challenges related to waterlogging and infrastructure in the specified area.

Kumar apprised the bench of the ongoing efforts, stating, “A consultant has been enlisted to provide technical solutions for the entire geographical region of the city. Within the government, ongoing deliberations aim to enhance coordination and streamline the number of agencies responsible for managing the drainage system in Delhi.”

During a comprehensive hour-long virtual presentation, Kumar highlighted that in 2023, the government achieved a substantial performance boost, resulting in the removal of 12 lakh metric tonnes of silt from drains.

During this phase of the proceedings, the bench inquired about the capacity improvement of drains over the last 25 years. In response, Kumar clarified that there hadn’t been a substantial increase in capacity. However, he noted that the efficiency of the drainage system had improved in recent years.

In response to Kumar’s explanation, the bench made a notable observation, stating, “Desilting isn’t working, and the capacity needs to be increased. Waste is being disposed of in drains by road sweepers. That ought not should occur. Why is it not possible to assign a single organization to maintain the stormwater drains throughout Delhi?.. to put an end to the blame.”

In addition to the aforementioned points, Kumar detailed various measures implemented by different authorities, such as the MCD and the PWD in Delhi, to mitigate waterlogging. These measures encompass the installation of CCTV cameras at 41 “vulnerable” locations by the PWD for monitoring from a control room. Furthermore, 700 permanent pumps with a cumulative capacity of 25,000 HP have been strategically placed at underpasses, subways, and low-lying areas.

Following this presentation, the High Court requested Chief Secretary Kumar to provide suggestions. Subsequently, the court scheduled the matter for further consideration on March 4.

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