People struggle to find dry ground | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

People struggle to find dry ground

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Aug 20, 2011 12:22 AM IST

They sang songs, shouted slogans and listened to speeches through the day, yet couldn’t find a dry spot to sit. The incessant rain on Friday failed to dampen the spirits of the people who had come to support the indefinite hunger strike called by the 73-year-old anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare.

They sang songs, shouted slogans and listened to speeches through the day, yet couldn’t find a dry spot to sit. The incessant rain on Friday failed to dampen the spirits of the people who had come to support the indefinite hunger strike called by the 73-year-old anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare.

HT Image
HT Image

However, as far as the arrangements on behalf of the land-owning agency was concerned, rain played havoc. While the land owning agency, the MCD, had promised the entire ground to the organisers, it could provide only half as the remaining half couldn’t be cleared. MCD officials said it would be difficult to level the remaining half if it rained again on Saturday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The leveling exercise could not be carried out on Friday as the MCD staff that had worked through the night to level the ground had taken off on Friday. “We will start work from Saturday to make the remaining half available to them,” said a senior MCD official.

In the morning, the MCD set up suction pumps to pump out the water from the ground, forcing thousands of people to wade through ankle-deep waters to enter the Ramlila Maidan.

Also, to check mosquito breeding, the MCD carried out anti-larval treatment on the ground. “We will also carry out fogging in the evening,” said V K Monga, chairman, MCD’s Health Committee.

As it continued to rain through the day, 200 tonne of sand was brought in to dry the ground. “Close to 150 tonne of demolition and construction waste was brought in to level the other half,” said Yogender Chandolia, chairman of MCD’s Standing Committee. To take stock of the situation Mayor Rajni Abbi, also took round of the ground on Friday.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Neelam Pandey covers education sector and gender issues for Hindustan Times. She is a policy wonk with a keen interest in politics.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On