This Article is From Oct 03, 2020

High Court Slams Delhi Civic Body Over Drainage System For Basements

The high court said the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) is the main body to look into the issue, with problem of drainage being their liability and they cannot pass buck on any other body.

High Court Slams Delhi Civic Body Over Drainage System For Basements

Court has slammed civic body over inadequate measures for drainage system.

New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court has slammed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation over inadequate measures to remove water from flooded basements in city's Greater Kailash-II area, saying steps taken by it do not inspire confidence.

The high court said the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) is the main body to look into the issue, with problem of drainage being their liability and they cannot pass buck on any other body.

Justice Najmi Waziri directed the Public Works Department of the Delhi government along with three members of resident welfare association to clean storm water drains and conduct video recording of the proceedings.

The high court also directed to use drone photography and work along with corporation to clean the storm water drainage.

Rapping the corporation, the high court observed, "the measures taken by SDMC to drain out the water is completely inadequate. Pathetic and rudimentary level of work has been done."

It said the houses in the area have become inhabitable due to inundation by water causing inconvenience to people.

"Steps taken by SDMC do not inspire confidence. It has not done anything except increasing capacity of water pumps for taking out excess water," the high court said while posting the matter for December 2.

It also directed the civic body to visit the houses of the petitioners and the persons who have annexed photographs of inundated basements in the petition, and come out with a system in place within 10 days.

Advocate Puja Kalra, appearing for the civic body, told the court that water pumps have been installed to pump 600 litres of water per minute and it is coordinating with several agencies, including the Central Ground Water Board.

Advocates Tushar Gupta and Shaan Mohan contended that the situation at ground remained the same and the corporation had done nothing except wasting time.

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