Civic body plans meeting to address waterlogging

New Delhi: To prevent waterlogging in the city during the monsoon, Municipal Corporation of Delhi commissioner Ashwani Kumar has called a joint meeting on Thursday at the MCD headquarters to discuss the preparations.

Junior to chief engineers from the maintenance, building, environmental management services (DEMS) and project departments will be present at the meeting. The MCD commissioner, deputy commissioners and the additional commissioners from all zones will also attend it.

According to the agenda, discussions will cover the cleaning of drains under the MCD jurisdiction, deployment of supervisory staff and labourers at waterlogging sites, and preparations to prevent waterlogging. A key step is the smooth functioning of pumps on time. Therefore, the meeting will review the adequate staffing of each portable pumping station and ensure that employees are stationed there 24x7. They will also discuss the issue of installing portable pumps at new waterlogging sites.

Officials were asked to ensure timely cleaning of drains and sump wells. Instructions were issued for cleaning of open and covered drains in smaller colonies, in coordination with the DEMS department. In case of any departmental conflict, the regional deputy commissioner will step in.

Small colony drains, either covered or pipe drainage, have to be cleaned extensively in close coordination by the engineering and sanitation department. The zonal deputy commissioner will intervene if any issue arises.

According to the guidelines, if a zonal issue cannot be resolved locally, it should be brought to the attention of headquarters officials. tnn