Delhi water logging woes: MCD accepts delay on its part

New Delhi, Jun 28 (UNI) Municipal Corporation of Delhi today accepted that there was a delay on its part to initiate the annual drive to de-silt/clean storm water drainage pipes in the capital this season.

''I accept that there was a delay in starting the annual drive to de-silt/clean storm water drains this time,'' Additional Commissioner K D Akolia said and added that there were some payment related problems and the contractors refused to begin work before it was settled.

As a result of this, out of 1,296 storm water drains under MCD's control, only 525 had been de-silted/cleaned while 80 per cent work had been completed in 720, 50 others were in an OK condition and did not need maintenance, he informed.

However, he also blamed the 'unplanned' growth in the city and the drainage system being very old, for the water logging in Delhi's streets following the season's first decent rains yesterday.

Besides, there were depression areas in various parts of the city where water accumulated year after year due to natural topography, he added.

UNI IP VD HS1726