Amid water-logging, Kejriwal pitches for upgrade of drainage system

New Delhi, July 19 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said a world-class drainage system is the need of the hour and will be developed across the national capital.

His remarks came after reviewing the city drainage system with officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Municipal Corporations (MCDs), the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department.

The meeting was chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.

"Once such a system is in place, we would only require de-silting it once a year and the drainage system will be free of liability. So we should work on that prospect. We need to also popularise our grievance helpline numbers with the people of the city," he added.

The area under the Minto Road rail bridge is the city's most vulnerable point for water-logging. This underpass is a crucial connection between the upmarket area of Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi such as New Delhi railway station, Ramlila Ground etc.

However, unlike last year, this year so far, there was no water-logging reported from underneath the Minto Bridge.

"Drainage systems like the one in Minto Road will be replicated across Delhi. Drains and sewers will be de-silted regularly. World class drainage system will be developed in Delhi," the Chief Minister's Office tweeted after the meeting.

Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain asked the agencies to be fully prepared for combating any problems. "In the next three days, we are going to have excess rainfall, so we need to be fully prepared to handle the situation. We not only have to be alert during the day but extra alert during the night; we have over 1,500 pump sets... we should deploy them all."

"Our officers and engineers across departments need to be available and alert 24x7 because the next few days are going to need more attention," he added.

There have been several reports of water-logging and traffic snarls since early Monday following rain.

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