NHAI moves to fix waterlogging issue on Patparganj stretch

The highway authority has initiated the work last week to raise the road level and construct an improved drainage system aimed at ensuring quicker dispersal of rainwater.

New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun work on a stretch in east Delhi’s Patparganj area to address persistent waterlogging along the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, officials said.

Vehicles wade through a waterlogged stretch in Vinod Nagar near NH-24, in New Delhi. (HT archive)

The stretch, located under a flyover on NH-24, has been prone to water accumulation even during moderate rainfall, leading to traffic disruptions and commuter inconvenience, officials said.

The stretch also serves as an important link for commuters travelling between Delhi and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh, including Noida and Ghaziabad. In the past, videos of the site had surfaced showing people swimming in knee-deep water on the inundated carriageway following rainfall.

According to officials, the Public Works Department (PWD) recently handed over the affected portion to NHAI for remedial measures. The highway authority has initiated the work last week to raise the road level and construct an improved drainage system aimed at ensuring quicker dispersal of rainwater. Officials said the project will be completed in four to six months.

“The stretch has been identified as a critical waterlogging point. Work is underway to increase the carriageway height and build a proper drainage network. NHAI has started work on the new drain construction,” said PWD minister Parvesh Verma.

Officials said the ongoing work is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce disruptions during monsoon. Further monitoring will be carried out to assess the effectiveness of the measures once completed.

An official said that the intervention is part of a broader effort to address bottlenecks along key arterial routes in the city, particularly flood-prone stretches.