Expanded List of Waterlogging Trouble Spots in Delhi to 445: Minister
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Synopsis
On April 24, PWD and Water Minister Parvesh Verma announced a strategy to tackle waterlogging in Delhi, identifying 445 trouble spots, with significant work already completed and plans for further improvements.
Key Takeaways
- Identified 445 waterlogging spots in Delhi.
- 284 sites have undergone remediation.
- Engineers are tasked with site oversight and emergency responses.
- Daily monitoring and accountability measures are in place.
- Desilting of drains is being prioritized.
New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) In an effort to address the issue of waterlogging during the monsoon season, PWD and Water Minister Parvesh Verma revealed on Thursday a comprehensive strategy to manage challenges at 445 identified trouble spots in collaboration with the traffic police.
Of these designated locations, 335 fall under the PWD's jurisdiction, with efforts already completed at 284 sites.
Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta convened a meeting with Chief Secretary Dharmendra and Verma to direct officials overseeing the seven most critical waterlogging areas to submit a detailed action plan within a week.
According to PWD, 308 waterlogging locations were noted in Delhi in 2023, which dropped to 194 in 2024, with 57 spots common to both years. Now, in 2025, based on the data provided by traffic police, a total of 445 waterlogging points have been identified in the city.
Verma stated that he has appointed Assistant Engineers (AE) and Junior Engineers (JE) as local managers for all 335 locations.
“These engineers are fully responsible for overseeing water drainage systems, ensuring equipment availability, site supervision, and emergency responses. They must ensure all preparations are finalized well ahead of the monsoon,” he emphasized.
He has mandated that if waterlogging occurs at any of the identified locations during the monsoon, strict disciplinary action, including suspension, will be taken against the responsible engineer.
A Project Engineer has been assigned as the “Review Officer” for each site to manage the entire logistics and compile monitoring reports, he added.
Moreover, pump operators will be stationed in three shifts, 24/7, at every waterlogging point, with temporary housing arranged for them throughout the monsoon period to enable swift action if necessary.
Verma mentioned that improvements to the city’s drainage system are advancing swiftly. The city has been segmented into 35 zones, where desilting operations have commenced.
“To date, 50 kilometers of drains have been cleared, with the goal of completing the desilting of 1,400 kilometers by April 31,” he noted.
“Eliminating waterlogging in Delhi is not merely a goal; it is our duty. We have made engineers accountable at every site, clearly instructing them that any negligence will lead to suspension. Ensuring public convenience is our highest priority,” he affirmed.
According to PWD officials, there will be daily monitoring of all waterlogging sites, with reports sent directly to the Water Minister.
