Voice Of The People

Within a few minutes of rain; Why does Delhi convert into a drain???

The Founder of Jan Ki Baat, Pradip Bhandari, attempts to understand the public’s response to the rains in Delhi and the traffics jams and water-hoarded roads that accompany the rains. Unchecked construction has been cited as one of the major causes behind the situation that the city finds itself in, during and post-rain; parking lots and buildings have been built in these spaces, instead. Poor design and faulty slopes are another set of causes. Traffic management, too, is quite poor; a claim that’s evidentiary enough when traffic lights either stop functioning or start dysfunctioning, causing jams and even, collisions. The presence of rain water also is unhygienic, may even lead to dengue, malaria and other water-borne diseases.

Delhi, according to the Public Works Department, has 8 road-owning agencies. But none of these help Delhi escape the gutter it becomes during monsoons. According to a survey, Delhi alone generates 700 metric tonnes of plastic waste per day, which remains un-recycled. The 200+ natural storm drains that the city’s construction has, have largely been non-existent.

The architecture of city is such that it’s not rain-friendly. Rain water can’t recede naturally because of these factors, revealing itself an obstacle in the daily routine of the common men and women. Something must be done by the city officials to avoid this perpetually recurring problem.

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