Minto Road bridge flooding: Another year, same old story; Delhiites continue to suffer

NEW DELHI: Another year, another waterlogging at Minto bridge underpass and this even before the monsoon rains. Delhiites can only think what would happen during the rainy season. Politicians including Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had assured there won't be any flooding under the bridge.
The persistent woes of the capital were evident as vehicles, including a truck and a car, were almost entirely submerged in the water under the Minto Road Bridge due to the incessant downpour.

In past, concerns were raised about waterlogging at Minto bridge, and despite multiple meetings and government promises to resolve the issue, the problem persisted. PWD officials stated that an overflowing sewer line from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) exacerbated the flooding by mixing with the rainwater and inundating the underpass.
In 2020, a 56-year-old man lost his life after his truck was submerged in the underpass during the monsoon. This tragic incident led to the implementation of new protocols aimed at preventing such accidents.

The government's response in the last few years regarding the persistent situation at Minto Road included the construction of alternative drainage lines and the installation of automatic water pumps.
The Minto bridge underpass has a catchment area of 1 kilometer, contributing to the recurring waterlogging issues during heavy rainfall. Water from two roads flows down to the slope, and the DJB sewage line overflows, exacerbating the flooding. Even minimal rain can result in waterlogging, causing buses and other vehicles to become stranded.

In 2021, two drains were constructed near the Minto Bridge underpass and connected to an underground sump beside the Minto Road pump house. Despite these efforts, the situation did not improve significantly, as evidenced by the recent waterlogging.
The situation is further complicated by political blame games between the PWD and DJB, with each agency blaming the other for the failures. PWD officials claimed that despite multiple calls to DJB officials, there was no response during critical times. The DJB has yet to respond to these accusations.