Delhi govt launches 24X7 helpline to register waterlogging complaints

Delhi government today launched a helpline number by setting up a 24X7 centralised control room to register complaints about water-logging in the city.
The move came after two days of rain exposed poor drainage system of the city, causing knee-deep waterlogging in some areas and heavy traffic jam across the national capital.
"Water drainage system is not adequate in the city. There is 160 such points which are prone to water-logging. In last few days, I held a meeting with PWD department and instructed them to ensure that water is pumped out from the street as soon as possible," PWD minister Satyendra Jain said.

Government claims that it has installed 150 mobile teams to pump out the water.
"Water draining system cannot be improved immediately but as soon we will get information of any water-logging a team will be sent which will try to pump out water from the area.
"There are many points where water-logging will happen. So to deal with it we are installing 150 mobile water pumps," Jain said.

Government's centralised helpline number is 1800118595 where residents can call and register their complaints about water-logging.
PWD claims that mobile pumps will be installed to ensure removal of water and have also stationed permanent pumps at low inclined areas.

"Buildings have come up at natural drainage system which has damaged water passage system. So the only solution is to pump out water from these areas," Jain explained.
For long term solution to solve water-logging issue, the government has asked IIT-Delhi to conduct a study on water drainage system of the city but is waiting for their recommendation.
"IIT Delhi is conducting a study on water drainage system of Delhi for last two and half years and they have demanded one more year to complete it. It is expected that they will come out with their recommendation to solve the issue," he said.

However, IIT Delhi was supposed to submit its report within a year but the project got delayed. The Minister has asked the institute to summit its finding as soon as possible.
Delhi government also claims that PWD has cleaned entire 1,260 kilometre-long stretch falling under its jurisdiction.
"We cleaned all the roads and drainage before the monsoon. There are some areas where cleaning work was carried out few months back so we are again cleaning those areas," Jain said.
The PWD Minister said there are many drains which were never been cleaned before so the department is trying to revive the city's drainage system.

"MCD claims that they have cleaned 95 per cent of roads which are under its jurisdiction," Jain said.
"PWD had repaired all the potholes of Delhi from May 1-21 but as during the monsoon chances of roads getting damaged is high so I have asked the department to carry out repair work side by side," he said.