Drain not desilted, South Ex resident files contempt petition

NEW DELHI: Unable to get a major drain in south Delhi cleaned despite the Delhi high court’s orders, a resident of South Extension has filed a contempt petition

NEW DELHI: Unable to get a major drain in south Delhi cleaned despite the Delhi high court’s orders, a resident of South Extension has filed a contempt petition in the case.

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According to the applicant, the high court after hearing the case on May 27 directed the civic agencies, primarily the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD), to desilt the Kushak drain by June 10.

“Many low-lying areas in south Delhi will get waterlogged during monsoon because the Kushak drain has not been desilted. We had approached the high court to get some respite, but in vain,” said Manjeet Singh Chugh, vice-president, New Delhi South Extension RWA.

Chugh said they had filed a contempt petition in the high court and the next hearing was slated for June 20.

During a case hearing earlier, the high court had pulled up the agencies for failing to desilt the drain. It had warned of strict action against officials if they failed to clean the drain on time.

The Kushak drain is 6km long and it carries sewer water from Mehrauli, Sangam Vihar, INA, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash, AIIMS and nearby areas.

The municipal officials denied the allegations and said the writ wasn’t against the corporation. They blamed their counter part, PWD, for the delay.

“Only a part of the drain, near the Nizammudin area, falls under our jurisdiction and that has been desilted. The rest of the drain is under the PWD’s jurisdiction,” said a high-ranking official.

Senior PWD officials refused to comment on the matter. Sources in the department said the delay had been due to the ongoing construction of the Barapullah flyover.

As per SDMC’ s Annual Action Plan report, 27,400 metric tonnes of sludge was to be taken out this year from 265 drains (deeper than 4ft). This also includes a few big nullahs. To complete the task within a stipulated time, the civic agency has deployed wheel mounted excavators and loaders. Similarly, for the 18,194 small drains of 4ft (or lesser) sanitation staff has been engaged to take out a total of 22, 500 metric tonnes of sludge.