Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI) an apex body of consulting Engineers in the country expressing concern t water logging on Delhi roads during rains, which becomes a major reason for traffic woes in Delhi each year has suggested setting up of a nodal agency consisting of representatives of all concerned civic bodies to tackle the annual problem.
“Each year during monsoons water accumulation on various roads throws life out of gear for a few hours soon after a heavy downpour, resulting in snarling traffic jams, leaving commuters fuming and fretting.” said Mr Amitabha Ghosal , President , Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI) in a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ..
“With continued urbanisation, the drains are either choked or ineffective to carry the surface water to the deep storm water drains and to the outfall point. The drain in stretches lack adequate capacity. For this, a long term solution with proper network of drainage lines with adequate capacity for storm water and sewage drains is an immediate necessity.” Mr Ghosal said
“Road network in Delhi encompasses different zones of Authority like Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Development Authority, apart from the Delhi Jal Board, which is responsible for the drainage of storm water and sewage. Each year after the monsoons, a debate and confusion ensues as regards a particular agency’s responsibility for keeping roads free of water. However, the end result one witnesses is acute water logging, deep pot holes, portions of the roads getting submerged and side-walks becoming unusable, causing immense hardship to the general public.” Said Mr K K Kapila, Chairman, CEAI’s Infrastructure committee and former Chairman, International Road Federation (IRF) a global body working for better roads world wide .
“The National Capital of the Country – Delhi has been witnessing yearly waterlogging with the first spells of monsoon rains. An IIT-D Study in 2016, commissioned by your esteemed Government, had come to the conclusion that the lack of a single institution to manage storm water drainage was the cause behind the yearly flooding and waterlogging in Delhi. Despite the findings, necessary redressal measures have not been undertaken by the concerned agencies.” Said Mr Kapila .
“Apart from the suggestion for creating a Unified Nodal agency consisting of DDA, PWD, DJB, all three MCD’s, NDMC ,DMRC and Power Discoms BSES & Tata Power to tackle the drainage problems of Delhi, with representatives from each Agency for initiating appropriate long and short term measures, there is an urgent need to find immediate solutions to contain the damage due to flooding of our roads.” Said Mr Kapila.
“In order to draw up an action plan, we solicit support with basic data, locations and existing set up from the Engineering Wings of the above named departments. We assure you that we will be able to provide you with excellent engineering solutions to relieve Delhi and the Delhiites from this menace. From capture of rain water leading to improved ground water levels to better drainage, we are confident of providing efficient and workable solutions. The ultimate answer is of course the city drainage plan, which is a massive work which needs to be undertaken in the long run.” Said Mr Kapila.
