AAP claims only 20% drains cleaned by MCDs, BJP holds PWD responsible
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP)-led municpal corporations of Delhi (MCDs) have failed in cleaning drains even as the monsoon is set to hit the city in a few days
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP)-led municpal corporations of Delhi (MCDs) have failed in cleaning drains even as the monsoon is set to hit the city in a few days.
Senior AAP leader and the party’s municipal affairs in-charge Durgesh Pathak said every year, there is waterlogging in Delhi during the monsoon and this year, too, the municipal corporations could clean only “20% of drains” so far.
“The monsoon may arrive anytime in Delhi but the MCDs have cleaned only 20% of drains. If there is waterlogging in Delhi this year as well, and if anyone dies, then the Delhi BJP will be responsible. I demand that the Delhi BJP clean all drains on war footing…It is unfortunate that the BJP ruled MCDs do not clean drains ahead of the monsoon and that is why the national capital faces massive waterlogging every year,” Pathak said in a statement.
Pathak added, “Delhi is the national capital where the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, judges, and representatives of other countries live. Such an important city faces waterlogging only on account of the poor governance of the BJP-ruled MCDs.”
Responding to Pathak’s remarks, North Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Jai Prakash said it is the Delhi government that has not cleaned its big drains. He said MCDs are responsible only for minor drains located in colonies and along internal roads, while all major drains are managed by the Delhi government’s public works department and other agencies.
“We have cleaned over 80% drains in our jurisdiction and removed 9,580 metric tonnes of silt. But drains under the PWD, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Delhi Jal Board and the irrigation and flood control departments are yet to be cleaned fully. At many locations, workers have removed silt from drains but left it on the roadside. Instead of blaming us, the AAP should ask its government to clean drains on priority,” Prakash said.
Similarly, East Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Nirmal Jain also accused the PWD of not cleaning its drains. “They (PWD) have not cleaned drains and at several places, workers have left silt on the road itself. I have written to the PWD to get the silt removed so that waterlogging does not occur this monsoon,” Jain said.