100-year-old pipelines begging for change

They dutifully served the residents of Chandni Chowk for almost a century.

They dutifully served the residents of Chandni Chowk for almost a century.

HT Image

But finally when they could not stand the abuse, the rusty sewerage pipes underneath the area gave in and took everything down with them on Saturday.

The faulty sewerage system of Chandni Chowk, which is already overburdened by increased commercialisation, is in dire need of change.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which has to carry out the mammoth task, said till the traffic situation does not improve they would not be able to start work.

“Replacing these pipes is not a small task. The present chaos makes it impossible to start anything. The pipes have started rusting and at many places have started leaking too but what are we to do? The civic body needs to decongest the area first before we take up any work, as it will take many months,” said a senior DJB official, wishing to remain anonymous.

Saturday’s wall collapse that took place near the Parade ground multi-level parking lot was attributed to the faulty sewerage pipeline.

The residents of the area have been facing the brunt of faulty pipelines that results in backflow of sewerage water. The old sewerage system also plays the role of the drainage system during monsoon, putting tremendous pressure on it. The drains are choked whenever it rains.

“The old system is not good enough to handle both the sewerage and rainwater. The pipelines have been damaged excessively

and need urgent repair,” said an official.