Delhi drowning in its trash, silt, and AAP govt's feuds with Centre
Delhi. Not so much because of the rain, but because it has caused residents to drown to death, from those attempting to walk through flooded roads to unfortunate IAS candidates caught off guard by a sudden flood in their coaching center's basement library.
In fact, new waterlogging zones have recently emerged in almost every part of the city, from Zakhira in West Delhi to Satya Niketan off Dhaula Kuan to the SPA-Kotla road axis to the posh Golf Links Road and Lutyens bungalows, which found themselves in nearly knee-deep water this rainy season.
The looming question is whether this is due to the high rainfall levels alone, or if it is a man-made disaster unfolding in the capital, exacerbated by the AAP government's decade-long political slugfest with the Centre?
While many experts agree that upgrading Delhi's drainage plan is the ultimate solution for the rapidly growing city, failing to conduct even basic activities like desilting is already costing the city dearly.
A recent government assessment identified unattended silt and debris-as mentioned in the August 5 National Green Tribunal ruling that faulted multiple authorities for failing to desilt and clean Delhi drains-accumulated for over 10 years as the main cause.
The report stated:
The three arterial drains — Barapulla, Kushak & Sunehri Nalla — that account for drainage of 24% Delhi were found heavily choked at an August 4 review by Delhi's LG V K Saxena, resulting in backflow of storm water and consequent waterlogging.
Five of the 12 bays under the
