NDMC V-C Chahal reviews monsoon waterlogging prep, inspects Khan Market night ops
Synopsis
NDMC Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal pulled a double shift — an early morning monsoon inspection across waterlogging hotspots and a midnight review of Khan Market's night sweeping — signalling a push for proactive urban management ahead of Delhi's rainy season, with 100% first-phase desilting already completed.
Key Takeaways
NDMC V-C Kuljeet Singh Chahal inspected waterlogging-prone areas including Bharti Nagar , Golf Links , Tughlaq Lane , and Pandara Road on 13 May 2025 .
NDMC completed 100% desilting under Phase 1 by 31 March ; Phase 2 to be completed by 15 June .
A total of 7,888 bell mouths , 4,833 gully traps , and 8,913 manholes were cleaned during Phase 1.
Chahal conducted a midnight inspection of Khan Market , reviewing night sweeping and ongoing redevelopment works.
RWA representatives and officers from Health and Civil departments were present at the Khan Market review.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, conducted an early morning inspection of waterlogging-prone locations across the NDMC area, accompanied by senior officers from the Civil, Electrical, Horticulture, Health, and Road Departments. The initiative was aimed at assessing monsoon preparedness and ensuring uninterrupted civic services ahead of the rainy season.
Areas Inspected and Key Directives
Chahal visited major waterlogging-prone zones including Bharti Nagar, Golf Links, Tughlaq Lane, and Pandara Road to review preventive arrangements currently in place. He directed department heads to ensure the timely completion of all monsoon-related works and to maintain stronger inter-departmental coordination for prompt response during heavy rainfall events.
Drainage Work Progress
According to Chahal, NDMC has already completed 100 per cent desilting work under the first phase by 31 March, with the second phase scheduled for completion by 15 June. Under Road Divisions I to V and the CP Division, NDMC has cleaned 7,888 bell mouths, 4,833 gully traps, and 8,913 manholes during the first phase alone, significantly strengthening the drainage network to help prevent waterlogging during peak monsoon months.
Midnight Inspection at Khan Market
In a separate late-night exercise, Chahal also conducted a midnight inspection of Khan Market, one of the capital's most prominent commercial destinations, reviewing ongoing night sweeping operations and redevelopment works. Officers from the Health, Civil, and other concerned departments were present, along with Resident Welfare Association (RWA) representatives.
Chahal shared a progress report on various infrastructure improvement works being carried out in and around Khan Market to enhance civic amenities and improve the experience for visitors, traders, and shoppers. He noted that the market attracts a large number of residents, tourists, diplomats, and visitors on a daily basis, underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and civic infrastructure.
Broader Urban Vision
Reiterating NDMC's commitment to the "Viksit Bharat" vision and world-class urban management, Chahal emphasised that both the monsoon preparedness drive and the Khan Market night inspections reflect the council's focus on proactive governance. With the monsoon season approaching, all pending drainage and road works are being fast-tracked to minimise disruption to residents and businesses in the NDMC jurisdiction.
Point of View
Khan Market at midnight — is as much a governance signal as it is an operational exercise. NDMC's jurisdiction covers some of Delhi's most politically sensitive and commercially valuable real estate, and chronic waterlogging has historically embarrassed the council during monsoon. Completing 100% first-phase desilting by March is a creditable benchmark, but the real test comes when the rains arrive. The Khan Market midnight visit, while optics-heavy, also points to a genuine redevelopment push in a market that has long complained of uneven civic attention. Whether the coordination Chahal is demanding across five departments actually materialises under monsoon stress is the question that residents and traders will be watching.
NationPress
13 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NDMC doing to prevent waterlogging in New Delhi ahead of monsoon 2025?
NDMC has completed 100% desilting work under Phase 1 by 31 March 2025 and is targeting Phase 2 completion by 15 June. The council has cleaned 7,888 bell mouths, 4,833 gully traps, and 8,913 manholes to strengthen the drainage network.
Which areas did NDMC V-C Kuljeet Singh Chahal inspect for waterlogging?
Chahal inspected Bharti Nagar, Golf Links, Tughlaq Lane, and Pandara Road — all identified as waterlogging-prone zones within the NDMC area — during an early morning inspection on 13 May 2025.
Why did NDMC conduct a midnight inspection of Khan Market?
The midnight inspection was held to review ongoing night sweeping operations and redevelopment works at Khan Market, one of New Delhi's busiest commercial destinations. RWA representatives and departmental officers were also present during the review.
When will NDMC complete its Phase 2 monsoon drainage work?
NDMC's second phase of monsoon-related drainage and desilting work is scheduled to be completed by 15 June 2025, before the peak monsoon season typically sets in for Delhi.
What departments were involved in NDMC's monsoon preparedness inspection?
Senior officers from the Civil, Electrical, Horticulture, Health, and Road Departments accompanied V-C Chahal during the inspection, reflecting a multi-department approach to monsoon preparedness.
