Gupta chairs emergency meet as monsoon exposes drainage gaps

'UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE PUBLIC BE ALLOWED TO SUFFER'

- AIMAN FATIMA

NEW DELHI: Even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in the capital on Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured the public that key areas of the city remained free from waterlogging, a long-standing monsoon challenge for the national capital.

Speaking after inaugurating the DDA's Aarambh Pustakalaya at Adhchini Village in South Delhi, CM Gupta said, "Delhi has begun a new journey. As you have observed, we conducted multiple inspections at Barapullah, Kushak Drain, and Minto Bridge. Despite heavy rainfall, there was no waterlogging, which was a legacy. This time, there was no such thing. ITO and Barapullah were smooth."

However, despite the government's claims of progress, several areas in the city, particularly low-lying and densely populated zones like Saket, Tughlakabad, and Sangam Vihar continued to grapple with severe water accumulation after Wednesday evening's downpour. Residents in these areas reported flooded roads, disrupted traffic, and water entering homes and shops.