New Delhi, India – Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Sunday inspected three major drains in the Nizamuddin area, describing their condition as “appalling and shameful.” The Barapulla, Kushak, and Sunehri drains were found to be heavily clogged with silt, sludge, and debris, prompting Saxena to call for urgent corrective measures.
In a series of posts on X, Saxena shared images of the drains, highlighting the severe neglect by the concerned authorities. “The reality on the ground is appalling & shameful. It requires urgent corrective measures to ensure smooth flow of water to mitigate flooding,” he stated. Saxena directed officials to immediately desilt and clear the clogged drains and to complete the work within 15 days.
The inspection revealed that only 5 out of the 12 bays under culverts at Barapulla, 3 out of 6 bays at Sunehri, and 4 out of 7 bays at Kushak drains were open, drastically reducing their water carrying capacity and causing backflow and flooding in nearby areas.
AAP’s Response
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back at the LG, accusing him of engaging in “dirty politics” and “lip service.” In a statement, AAP said, “Now that the monsoon is almost over, the LG has come forward, just to pay lip service and engage in dirty politics. It would have been better if the LG had taken action against the Chief Secretary and the PWD Secretary, as well as any other officers involved in the wrongdoings.”
AAP’s Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also criticized the Chief Secretary (CS) for ignoring repeated reminders to ensure proper desilting of drains. “The Chief Secretary made several excuses, ranging from the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct to claiming that he had already updated the High Court and had no obligation towards the elected government,” AAP claimed.
Immediate Actions Ordered
Saxena directed the deployment of more machines to unclog the drains and instructed officials to fence the drains to prevent the dumping of garbage and debris. He also called for monitoring the drains through CCTV cameras and taking action against those found dumping waste.
The LG’s visit included the historic ASI-protected Old Barapulla Bridge, which he found heavily encroached. He ordered the District Magistrate to clear all encroachments and restore the bridge to its original state within a week.
The ongoing issues with the drainage system have led to frequent flooding in areas like Nizamuddin, Lodhi Road, Jungpura, CGO Complex, and other adjoining parts. Saxena emphasized the need for urgent corrective measures to mitigate flooding and ensure a smooth flow of water.
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