PWD installs more CCTV cameras, elevates underground pumps as rain contingency ahead of G20 Summit

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

CCTV cameras for better monitoring and elevating underground pumps to clear accumulated water are among the measures being taken by the public works department of Delhi as part of its rain contingency plan for the G20 Summit. Many areas of the national capital were inundated last month due to a rise in the water level in the Yamuna, leading to a situation where 27,000 people had to be evacuated from the floodplains along the river. The areas of Rajghat, Pragati Maidan Tunnel and Bhairon Road, which are likely to be frequented by delegates during the summit, were flooded too, giving rise to concerns.

«We have prepared a rain contingency plan for the summit. We have increased the number of CCTV cameras installed on various roads to monitor them round the clock. Apart from this, the underground pumps that were submerged during the floods have been reinstalled at a height,» a PWD official said.

Ten locations have been identified to prevent waterlogging in case there is a heavy downpour. These include the areas around the gates of ITPO, the venue for the summit, the Pragati Maidan tunnel, Tilak Marg near the Patiala House Court, the underpass near the ITO skywalk and the Indraprastha Marg opposite PWD headquarters. According to an official, 72 CCTV cameras have been installed inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel as it is likely to be used by delegates.

Some of these cameras have been installed by the Delhi Police, he added. Sixteen permanent pumps with a total capacity of 540 kilowatts are functioning inside the tunnel. Apart from these, six mobile pumps of 40 HP each have been deployed, the official further said.