On Sunday, minister reviews flooding in connaught place just a day after intense rain left many parts of New Delhi waterlogged. Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma visited the outer circle of Connaught Place, a popular commercial hub, to inspect the aftermath. A 100-metre stretch near Kake Da Hotel remained flooded the night before. Verma noted the extent of the issue, observing that water had even entered several shops.
The heavy downpour had tragic consequences. On Saturday, eight people lost their lives in monsoon-related incidents. In Jatpur, seven died after a wall collapsed, while a two-and-a-half-year-old child tragically fell into an open sewer. Expressing his grief, Verma described the events as “heartbreaking” and promised that the government would act to avoid such incidents in the future.
During his visit, Verma explained that New Delhi’s drainage problems stem from outdated infrastructure. The city still relies on a century-old British-era barrel drainage system. Over time, unchecked construction has narrowed these drains, severely affecting water flow during heavy rains. To resolve this, the PWD has been asked to conduct a point-by-point study of key areas to develop long-term solutions.
New Delhi has 34 major waterlogging hotspots, including Zakhira, Minto Bridge, Moolchand, and ITO. Although Verma stated that waterlogging this year was lower than in the past decade, many areas still struggled. The situation remains far from ideal, especially for residents and businesses.
In response to Verma’s visit, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticized his delay. Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the minister of arriving 24 hours too late and said he should have met with the victims’ families instead. Bharadwaj also raised corruption allegations, claiming that records were being destroyed to hide mismanagement in drain cleaning. He referenced an RTI application that showed the Chief Secretary’s office claimed not to have received his complaint about a third-party audit.
The BJP, however, rejected these claims. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said Bharadwaj was distorting facts and referred to a 2024 Delhi High Court order that addressed issues with drain audits. He further accused the Kejriwal government of neglecting desilting efforts between 2015 and 2018. According to Sachdeva, even an NGO had to step in and appeal to the court for help due to the AAP’s failure.
Despite the blame game, one thing is clear: New Delhi’s drainage system needs urgent reform. Outdated structures and poor maintenance continue to risk lives and property during monsoons. Long-term planning, transparency, and quick execution are essential to prevent further disasters.
As rains continue, the focus must shift from political arguments to effective action. People are looking for accountability, not promises. The inspection where the minister reviews flooding in connaught place should mark the beginning of real, lasting change.
