The Hindu : New Delhi News : Expect a monsoon free from water-logging, says Jal Board

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Friday, Jun 17, 2011
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New Delhi

Expect a monsoon free from water-logging, says Jal Board

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

NEW DELHI: This monsoon season, residents of North and West Delhi will be spared the trouble of water-logged streets and collapsing roads, asserts the Delhi Jal Board. Ahead of the rainy season, the water utility says it has done its homework to ensure that the city's sewers, particularly in the North and West Delhi, are ready to receive the rains.

“Rehabilitation work of the sewers is nearing completion, in fact by the end of June the trunk sewers will be completely rehabilitated and will be ready in time for the monsoon,” said a senior Jal Board official.

The utility has set a target of completing 40 km of the 50 km that needed rehabilitation by the end of the month. “Once the work is over, there will be very little chance of water-logging and roads caving in,” the official said.

Complaints of sewer water leaking into the water mains will also be fewer, the water utility claims, as leakages and other damages to the network are being addressed.

“Whenever there are such complaints a thorough check is run and our staff has been instructed to respond to such complaints on a priority basis. In some areas where there are bore wells, sometimes the water gets contaminated more easily. Also, wherever the pipes are old and there is use of boosters for pumping water, there are chances of sewerage mixing with the clean water, these issues are also being addressed,” the official said.

Recently the Chief Minister had issued instructions to the civic agencies, including the DJB, to ensure that the city is ready for the monsoon. The Chief Minister also set up a committee under the Chief Secretary to monitor water logging issues.

However, East Delhi that witnessed heavy water-logging during the past year remains a “critical” area the Jal Board official said, adding that the sewerage system in that part of the city is old and poses a challenge.

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