Fresh rain hampers efforts to clear out roads Pradeep, July 19, 2023September 23, 2023 The recent rainfall on Tuesday afternoon has caused disruptions for the Public Works Department (PWD) in their efforts to keep certain stretches of Ring Road dry. The area under Mangi bridge on Ring Road experienced waterlogging, inconveniencing commuters. The low-lying spot near the beginning of the Ring Road bypass also faced flooding, with water remaining until late evening. However, officials assured that they were working to clear the water and expected the areas to be dry by night. In the morning, PWD minister Atishi announced that Vikas Marg had been cleared of waterlogging. Although there was some water accumulation due to the afternoon rain, officials stated that it was eventually cleared. According to officials, an overflowing manhole near Rose Garden near Rajghat is causing water to collect on Ring Road. A PWD official explained that another agency’s manhole near their pump house at Rose Garden was overflowing due to the fresh rain, and they were attempting to pump out the water near Rajghat. However, as they pumped out water, more would accumulate, leading to their ongoing efforts to completely clear the water from various spots on Ring Road. As a result, the road from ITO to Rajghat remains closed due to the waterlogging. PWD is currently occupied with clearing rainwater along Vikas Marg. Since the night of July 12, floodwaters have entered several areas along Ring Road. PWD officials noted that there was significant waterlogging on Vikas Marg between the Indraprastha underbridge and ITO, but the situation has been improving. Initially, police had prohibited vehicular movement from Ring Road to ITO and from ITO to DDU Marg but have now reopened the road. The lack of coordination between agencies during such crises continues to be a problem for the government. Despite PWD announcing additional temporary pump sets and quick response teams for managing urban flooding as part of their monsoon preparedness plan, coordination remains a challenge. On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena visited Rajghat with PWD officials to assess the situation. Saxena stated that efforts were underway to drain the floodwater from inundated Rajghat, which began on Sunday. The severity of the flooding has prompted all available resources to be mobilized to restore the national monument. Saxena also visited Shanti Van, which is similarly flooded, and oversaw the breaking of the boundary wall to allow accumulated water to flow out, along with pumping operations. Sources indicate that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to visit India on July 20-21 and is expected to pay homage at Rajghat. Recent News