HC pulls up PWD for not removing debris from Kushak drain

Delhi High Court today pulled up the Public Works Department (PWD) over delay in removal of debris from a South Delhi drain, saying an order was passed a year ago and warned of stern action against officials if it was not done in the next ten days.
A bench of justices G S Sistani and P S Teji further said that despite the assurance given by PWD, it has not yet cleaned debris from the drain which may lead to waterlogging in the area and later cause waterborne diseases like dengue.
The Kushak Nallah carries water from South Extension-I in South Delhi to the Yamuna.

"How long you will take to clean the Kushak Nallah? It has been a good long year since we passed the order and as of today, we are of the view that the progress of the work is not up to the mark.
"The monsoon is also ahead. If the debris is not removed, there will be waterlogging which will cause waterborne diseases like dengue. People will die of dengue and other diseases," the court observed.
It said the officers concerned will be held responsible if the drain was not cleaned by this month end and warned PWD that if the direction given by it is not complied with, "strict action would be taken against the officials".

The directions were issued during a hearing on a PIL relating to waterlogging in the city, which is being monitored by the High Court since 2012.

During the hearing, members of South Extension residents' welfare association (RWA) said pillars for the Barapullah bridge extension were "blocking" the drain.
Claiming that the municipal corporation and the PWD had also "dumped" construction debris into the nallah, Manjeet Singh Chugh of RWA had earlier sought a stay on the construction of the flyover.
Chugh also submitted photographs to show that only a section was cleared of debris and a major portion of the drain was yet to be unblocked.

Earlier, the residents of the area had told the court that the PWD projects to extend the Barapullah flyover and covering the drain had resulted in construction materials being dumped inside the 'nallah'.
They had also said pillars of the flyover were placed inside the drain which were obstructing the flow of water and would cause waterlogging in the area during monsoon. The matter was listed for further hearing on July 20.