Get prepared in advance to deal with flooded roads, HC tells Delhi government, civic bodies

New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) To end the problem of clogged drains and flooded roads in the national capital during monsoon, the Delhi High Court on Thursday asked civic authorities and the Delhi government to get prepared in advance and ordered that inspection be carried out of each drain and be duly certified by the responsible officer.

A division bench of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice Yogesh Khanna took note of the severe water-logging on Delhi's roads during the monsoon. The bench said there are 160 drains and "we want 160 certificates that each drain is clean" before rain hits the city.

It said the concerned zonal engineer or executive engineer of civic bodies should inspect drains and "in case there is flood in any area we would know who is responsible and we will catch hold of them".

Delhi government senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra told the bench that pursuant to the court's order, a coordinating committee has been set up by the Lieutenant Governor to deal with the issue of cleanliness of public roads and drains, especially to ensure that during monsoon there is no or minimal flood.

The court said the committee shall file certificates relating to cleanliness of drains.

The court was hearing a PIL of retired Lt. Col. B.B. Sharan alleging the agencies have failed to deal with the problem of water-logging in the city.

Every year due to clogging of drains Delhi faces severe water-logging on the roads during monsoon.