New Delhi, August 10 (H.S.): Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Sunday inspected a waterlogging-affected stretch at the Outer Circle in Connaught Place following two days of continuous rainfall in the capital. Speaking to the media, Singh stated that post-inspection, significant water accumulation was observed only in a limited 100-metre stretch near Baba Hotel, contrary to perceptions of widespread flooding in the area.
Singh revealed that he had personally visited the site alone on Saturday night to assess the situation, finding water confined to a small patch. He attributed the drainage problem to the narrowing of a century-old British-era barrel system by surrounding buildings, which obstructs the natural outflow of rainwater. As part of the remediation measures, additional pumps have been deployed and technical studies are being conducted at key drainage points.
The minister underlined that, for the first time in a decade, no waterlogging occurred this year at 34 critical points under PWD jurisdiction—including Zakira, Minto Bridge, Moolchand, and ITO—which previously reported chronic flooding during monsoon seasons. “Wherever water accumulation is reported, I personally, along with my PWD team, visit the site for immediate resolution. Our firm resolve is to make Delhi completely free of waterlogging in the coming years,” Singh asserted.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sharply criticised the visit’s timing. Delhi AAP in-charge Saurabh Bhardwaj, in a press conference, remarked that the minister began inspecting sites a day after severe waterlogging incidents claimed lives in the city. He stated that instead of “searching for water on roads” on Sunday, Singh should have visited the families of those who died, including that of a child who drowned in an open sewer during Saturday’s downpour.
The exchange reflects the ongoing political sparring between the BJP and AAP over monsoon preparedness and civic infrastructure, with the government highlighting improvements while the opposition underscores tragic lapses and preventable fatalities amid heavy rains.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
