MCD faces flak for tardy work on cleaning of drains in Capital

After facing flak for potholed roads and overflowing drains during the rainy season last year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) claims to have stepped up preparations for the upcoming monsoon.

After facing flak for potholed roads and overflowing drains during the rainy season last year, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) claims to have stepped up preparations for the upcoming monsoon.

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The issue of cleaning of drains was raised at the MCD Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday and a number of councillors alleged that due to shortage of staff, work was progressing at a snail’s pace.

To deal with shortage of staff, members suggested hiring people on a contractual basis. However, the MCD commissioner claimed that the majority of desilting work has been completed. “We have been undertaking desilting of drains on a regular basis this year as opposed to the earlier practice of undertaking seasonal desilting during April and May end,” he added.

However, several councillors were far from satisfied with the response. BJP councillor Kartar Singh Tanwar said: “My ward has only four nallah beldars and it is far from enough to carry out the cleaning work of drains.” Some councillors also demanded a drainage plan for each ward and separation of sewerage and drainage system.