4 min learnUp to date: Aug 27, 2026 03:11 AM IST
A day after heavy rain left a number of areas in central Delhi waterlogged for lengthy, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi “sincerely apologised” to “everybody” within the space, and acknowledged that the response of the civic physique had been insufficient.
In a publish on his X deal with, he stated that below common circumstances they can clear waterlogging inside 15-20 minutes. However regardless of their finest efforts, in at the very least 3-4 areas, it took greater than an hour to empty it out.
He stated, “There was greater than 72 mm rainfall in lower than 2 hours and this was fairly surprising. However this can’t be an excuse and we must strengthen our methods to take care of such conditions in future,” he wrote.
He additional wrote that varied short- and long-term measures will likely be made to make all the NDMC space absolutely water-logging free. “We are going to work to make sure that our residents mustn’t face any inconvenience in future. Any solutions for enchancment are welcome,” he stated whereas replying to residents’ feedback below his publish.
Pumps deployed by the NDMC drain out the water. (EXPRESS PHOTO BY PRAVEEN KHANNA)
Why did it take so lengthy?
Dwivedi, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre who took cost at NDMC earlier this month, advised The Indian Categorical that the delay in draining the water was not acceptable.
“On the NDMC, we make sure that the water is drained inside 35 to 40 minutes. However in areas like Mandir Marg, Connaught Place, BKS Marg, Talkotara, it took longer than common as a result of some drains obtained choked and it took two pumps to empty them out,” he stated.
“The water from Panchukian Street entered into the NDMC space and we needed to clear that out as effectively. It took lower than 20 minutes to filter the remainder of the areas,” he added.
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Extra pumps, round the clock desilting
Dwivedi stated the NDMC is now planning for each short-term and long-term options to clear the waterlogging.
The quick short-term actions which were put in place are desilting of drains around the clock and growing the pumping capability in order that water is cleared out as quickly as doable.
He stated that the NDMC additionally plans to overview and strengthen the drainage system across the space. “The drains across the space should be dug up and reworked in order that they are often strengthened and don’t choke anymore. We’re working with our engineers to debate that.”
He stated the NDMC will encourage rainwater harvesting and discover methods to divert and reuse rainwater from areas that regularly face waterlogging.
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Pumps deployed by the NDMC drain out the water. (EXPRESS PHOTO BY PRAVEEN KHANNA)
‘Residents set the benchmark’
The official stated he turned to X to deal with the difficulty and discuss to residents as a result of that’s the platform the place he receives ‘direct residents suggestions’.
“If I am going by what’s reported to me by officers, I’ll not get the true image. However through these platforms, I get what the expectations of the residents are. We’re accountable. The benchmark for the NDMC must be set by the residents who stay on this space and never by me or the officers,” he stated.
I sincerely apologise to everybody in NDMC space who confronted difficulties as a result of water logging cases on twenty fifth August 2026. Normally we’re capable of clear the water logging inside 15-20 minutes. However regardless of our greatest efforts in at the very least 3-4 areas water…. (1/n)
— Manoj Dwivedi (@dwivedimk_ias) August 25, 2026
Dwivedi stated the NDMC space was typically higher outfitted to take care of rain-related issues, however added that there was “at all times room for enchancment”.
