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India Today
10-07-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Every year, same problem: Who is to blame for sinking Delhi-NCR after heavy rain?
A heavy spell of rain since last evening has left large parts of Delhi and NCR, especially North Delhi and many areas of Gurugram, severely waterlogged. The water inundation brought traffic to a standstill, flooded residential colonies, and once again exposed the recurring monsoon preparedness crisis in the national tall claims and early planning, Delhi appears to have been caught off guard yet again. Ironically, monsoon preparations in the city begin nearly six months in advance each year, yet the first major rainfall is enough to throw normal life out of gear. advertisementA key factor behind this is the complex web of responsibilities split across multiple civic bodies, with no single agency held fully accountable. Delhi's drainage and sewage management is handled by at least half a dozen different agencies - including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the Irrigation and Flood Control is responsible for different zones and types of drains, yet overlapping jurisdictions and lack of coordination often lead to chaos. The MCD, for instance, is responsible for sanitation across nearly 96 per cent of Delhi's area and about 98 per cent of its population. Apart from managing solid waste, the MCD is also tasked with cleaning drains along roads narrower than 60 feet - mostly inside residential a dedicated allocation of Rs 36 crore this year, separate from the routine sanitation budget, the civic body admitted it had cleaned only 75 per cent of the drains under its jurisdiction by the time the monsoon drains along major roads such as Ring Road, ITO, and Minto Road - areas notorious for chronic waterlogging - fall under the domain of the PWD. These key arterial routes were among the worst affected in the last 24 hours. The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and PWD Minister Pravesh Verma, had earlier launched a campaign to ensure waterlogging would be avoided this year. Yet, water stood ankle-deep on several stretches under PWD's 1,259 km of road the Delhi Jal Board, responsible for the city's sewer system, faces its own set of challenges. A total of Rs 450 crore was allocated in the city's annual budget to upgrade the crumbling sewer infrastructure, which in many places is decades old and not equipped to handle the current population where drains are cleaned, overflowing or clogged sewers lead to street-level flooding. A comprehensive masterplan was drawn up back in 2014 to address these systemic issues, but 11 years later, most of it remains on Irrigation and Flood Control Department oversees major stormwater drains that discharge directly into the Yamuna - including the Najafgarh, Shahdara, Kushak, and Barapullah drains. Every year, a flood control order is issued before the monsoon and inter-agency meetings are held to monitor Yamuna's water level and clean these major channels. But the impact of these measures on the ground remains questionable, as high-intensity rain spells continue to cripple the NDMC, which manages some of Delhi's most elite zones, including Lutyens' Delhi, also came under fire after waterlogging was reported in multiple locations - partly due to ongoing construction work hampering drainage DDA, responsible for colonies like Rohini, Dwarka, and Sarita Vihar, too is tasked with maintaining drains in its civic agencies scramble to drain flooded roads and restore traffic flow today, residents across Delhi-NCR are left asking the same question as they do each monsoon: why does the capital of the country still sink at the first sight of rain?- Ends advertisement
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pink toilets to be installed in market areas of Lutyens' Delhi
New Delhi: At least 37 markets in Lutyens' Delhi will get pink toilets, said New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) members on Wednesday, adding that there was a long-standing demand from visitors. At present, six pink toilets — constructed by the civic body — are there on LIC Parliament Street, Super Bazaar Outer Circle, Dharamshala near Safdarjung Hospital, Factory Road near Safdarjung Hospital, B Avenue Sarojini Nagar and B Block in CP. NDMC member Sarita Tomar said that the pink toilets will be facilities with separate staff and maintenance systems. "These facilities will have a woman sanitation worker and a women security guard to ensure safety, hygiene and dignity. The pink toilets would have sanitary napkin vending machines, baby care spaces and clean drinking water. These would be in addition to the provision of women's toilets usually made at other public places," she said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi When questioned about the poor upkeep of public toilets, members said that action will be taken on complaints and efforts were being made to engage an agency that will focus on the regular cleaning of the toilets. The project for the construction of pink toilets would be taken up in addition to 79 toilets under construction for transgender individuals in Lutyens' Delhi. A plan for the holistic development of Sewa Basti and the upgrade of civic services at religious places will also be prepared and presented before the council soon. It was decided that a committee will be formed under section 3 of NDMC Act for surveying major temples and coordinating with stakeholders for enhancing lighting, pathways and overall aesthetics at these places. Delhi govt minister and ex-officio member Pravesh Verma emphasised the requirement for comprehensive civic maintenance at religious sites. "A committee for temple beautification and development will be formed to check the availability of adequate water supply, ensuring timely civil repairs, regular cleaning, horticulture maintenance, lighting, and security of devotees. The committee will survey major temples in the NDMC region and coordinate with stakeholders to implement work without disrupting religious activities," Verma said. NDMC has recently done a revamp at the Hamunan Mandir in Connaught Place. He also stressed on strengthening basic services in JJ clusters (Seva Bastis) that focus on sanitation, garbage collection, water availability, street lighting and footpath repair, and integrating them into the mainstream development plans. "The council earlier worked on a project to provide water to each jhuggi cluster under the Har Ghar Jal scheme, and now we are going a step ahead to improve the condition of these places in terms of sanitation services," said NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Chahal.
India Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Delhi sets target of filling 3,400 potholes in a day
In order to enhance road safety and improve commuting conditions, the Delhi government will undertake a massive one-day operation to fill 3,400 potholes across the capital's roads on June 24. The campaign, led by the Public Works Department (PWD), marks a significant step towards making Delhi's roads pothole-free ahead of the monsoon Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh announced that the department has been working for the past four months on identifying and repairing damaged stretches of road. With the monsoon expected to arrive soon, the government has expedited efforts, declaring June 24 as a milestone date for delivering on its is not just a repair drive, it is a commitment to the people of Delhi,' said the minister. "When work is done honestly and according to standards, potholes won't return. This is our resolution.' The initiative will cover over 1,400 km of PWD-managed roads, including key arterial roads, inner lanes, and high-risk zones. The potholes to be repaired have been identified through citizen complaints, drone mapping, and extensive field execute the campaign, the department has mobilised over 200 maintenance vans equipped with modern repair tools and high-quality materials. More than 1,000 workers, engineers, and supervisors, including 70 Assistant Engineers (AEs) and 150 Junior Engineers (JEs) will be deployed across designated zones for maximum and accountability are key to this operation. Every repair will be documented with geotagged, time-stamped photos taken before and after the work. A zonal AE and a senior engineer have been assigned to each area and will be held accountable for outcomes. The minister will personally oversee real-time operations on the ground, while local MLAs will monitor progress and interact directly with the tell engineers, supervisors and labourers that this is not just about work, it is about service. Filling potholes is not just about pouring bitumen, it is about providing relief to the citizens who pass through these roads every day. When the system is accountable, the work is sustainable,' said PWD minister Pravesh Verma. 'We know where each of those 3,400 potholes are. They will be tracked, filled in, and recorded. This has never been done before in India,' he added. - EndsTune InMust Watch
Hans India
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs unveiled
New Delhi In a major step toward strengthening the capital's healthcare system, the Delhi government inaugurated 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and 17 Jan Aushadhi Kendras on Tuesday, offering citizens improved access to affordable and quality healthcare. The large-scale launch was held across multiple locations in Delhi and NCR, with various state and central government leaders participating in the ceremonial rollouts. The inauguration ceremony began at 9:00 AM and continued for about an hour, as leaders from the Delhi government and the Centre attended events at different sites. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the Ayushman Arogya Mandir built behind the Delhi Bar Association office at the Tis Hazari Court complex. Simultaneously, PWD Minister Pravesh Verma inaugurated two centers—one at the dispensary on Babar Road and another at Sarojini Nagar, both located in his New Delhi constituency. The event sparked political backlash from the opposition. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the BJP of rebranding existing infrastructure rather than creating new facilities. Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, 'Mohalla Clinics and dispensaries built by the Kejriwal government are simply being painted and renamed as new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.' Several other leaders also participated in the statewide rollout. Tourism and Law Minister Kapil Mishra launched the Arogya Mandir in Khajuri Khas, part of his Karawal Nagar constituency. Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra unveiled the new center in Geeta Colony, East Delhi, while Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh inaugurated a facility at the old Barat Ghar in Gupta Enclave. Delhi's Home, Education and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood opened the Janakpuri center at the SS Mota Community Center in A Block. In addition, North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari inaugurated the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Yamuna Vihar B Block, and MP Praveen Khandelwal opened another one in AP Block, Shalimar Bagh. These new health centers are part of the BJP-led Delhi government's broader plan to set up 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the capital. These upgraded health units are envisioned as a more advanced alternative to the Mohalla Clinics introduced by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Unlike Mohalla Clinics, the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are equipped to offer diagnostic services, treatment for common ailments, and minor surgical procedures, providing a more comprehensive healthcare model. Speaking at the inauguration in Tis Hazari, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta did not hold back her criticism of the previous administration. She described the earlier Mohalla Clinic model as 'corrupt and inefficient,' stating that many were constructed in porta cabins where doctors were paid on a per-patient basis, allegedly leading to inflated numbers and mismanagement. She referenced findings from the CAG report, which she claimed revealed major irregularities in the AAP's healthcare programs. Gupta also pointed out that ₹2,400 crore in central government grants for Delhi's healthcare sector had been sanctioned five years ago but remained underutilized due to alleged inaction by the previous government. 'We now have just eight months to complete the work that should have been done in five years. If we fail to complete these projects by March, the funds will lapse,' she said.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
GoM may meet to give final shape to norms for Mahila Samridhi Yojana
New Delhi: A group of ministers, led by CM Rekha Gupta, is likely to meet soon to give the final shape to the detailed guidelines of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana and implementing the scheme on ground. The scheme, which promises to provide the financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women, was approved by the cabinet on the International Women's Day on March 8, and BJP-govt had allocated Rs 5,100 crore to fund the initiative. The chief minister, who also holds the charge of the finance department, had earmarked the amount while presenting her maiden budget a few days later. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Sources said the women and child development department of Delhi govt had prepared the draft scheme and guidelines, which would be placed before the group of ministers. Pravesh Verma, Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra are the other ministers who have been included in the committee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bideford: Born Between 1940-1975 You May Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Undo As per the basic eligibility criteria, women aged between 21 and 60 will be eligible for the monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500. The applicant must be from an 'Antodaya' or 'Below Poverty Line' household in the capital, with a valid ration card issued by the department of food supplies of Delhi govt. The benefit will be limited only to the eldest woman of the family. Govt has also planned to extend the benefits to only those women, whose children have either completed the mandatory vaccination as suggested by govt or are actively undergoing the vaccination schedule, sources said. "Govt has also decided that of the monthly financial benefit of Rs 2,500, a part of the amount will be credited directly to the beneficiary's central bank digital currency wallet, while the remaining will be deposited monthly in the recurring fixed deposit in the name of the beneficiary," said a source privy to the information. "This will ensure instead of spending the entire money every month, the beneficiary will have a substantial amount in her hand at the maturity of the recurring deposit account, which can be used for paying for the admission of a child or for marriage or to start a business," the source said. Another source said govt would relax the eligibility criteria every year to have a maximum number of women benefit from the scheme. However, govt has yet to finalise the percentage of the amount that will be locked-in and will go to the recurring deposit scheme. An online portal will be created for online registration of beneficiaries. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana was one of the key electoral promises made by the BJP ahead of the assembly polls.
