Minto Bridge back on list of usual suspects

NEW DELHI: The Minto Bridge underpass got waterlogged after the heavy rain on Monday and the Public Works Department (PWD) alleged that despite several calls to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), there was no response.
The waterlogging happened despite the government holding several meetings in last year and emphasising that all the agencies concerned must work together on the issue of waterlogging in the city during the monsoon.PWD officials said that dirty water from a nearby overflowing sewer line of the DJB accumulated in the underpass. "Due to heavy rain, the area was flooded because of the DJB drain overflowing and that added to the problems. We made several calls to officials on the DJB side but there was response," an official said. There was no response from the DJB on the allegations of the PWD.
In 2020, after the death of a 56-year-old man, whose truck was submerged in the underpass during monsoon, protocols were set to avoid such accidents. Last year, the government even claimed that after several measures taken in solving the problem on the spot, they were able to prevent heavy waterlogging.
"As soon as our systems alerted the staff, the laid down protocols were initiated and the area was barricaded so that commuters do not venture there. The alternative drainage line was constructed but the amount of water was too much hence it caused a backflow," the PWD official added.
The Minto Road underpass has a catchment area of 1 kilometre to overcome waterlogging under the bridge. According to the PWD, the water from two roads trickle down to the slope during heavy rains and the sewage line of the DJB, which overflows on the road at three points through its manholes the sewage water, mixed with rainwater causing flooding.
Until two years ago, even if there was less rain, waterlogging would happen under the Minto Bridge. It was flooded every rainy season. Buses and people got stuck and many a time, they left the vehicles in the flooded water to save their lives.
In 2021, two drains were constructed near the Minto bridge underpass that were connected to the underground sump beside the Minto Road pump house. Through five motors, excess rainwater is diverted into a bigger drain of the DJB, away from Minto Road. Another measure introduced was an automatic water pump which was supposed to start pumping water into alternative drains as soon as it reaches a danger mark inside the sump.