World | India
Officials trade barbs over New Delhi chaos
Mayor insists they took necessary measures to prevent flooding as Delhi government pins blame on municipal body
- IANS
- Published: 00:00 September 17, 2011
- Image Credit: EPA
- Motorists drive through a flooded street on the outskirts of New Delhi yesterday. Heavy rains lashed the Indian capital and the surrounding region for the second consecutive day.
New Delhi: A day after unprecedented rains unleashed fury in the capital, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said it can't be held accountable for all the chaos that ensued.
"Unfortunately, time and again, we are being blamed even for the problems happening in areas covered under PWD (Public Work Department), DDA (Delhi Development Authority) and NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation)," Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi told IANS.
"Most traffic lights were not working and no traffic officials were present at sensitive areas. This led to huge traffic jams and chaos on the roads. On such occasions, traffic police should be more active," she added.
Virtual halt
The capital came to a virtual halt on Thursday as torrential rains flooded streets and neighbourhoods, crippling traffic.
The mayor said 108 flood-prone areas had been identified.
"The MCD, after learning from its past experiences, is taking all necessary steps every monsoon, such as desilting of drains and checking sensitive points for flooding," Abbi said.
She blamed the Delhi government and the civic agencies controlled by the PWD and DDA for the chaos, saying they "don't take proper measures before the monsoon".
The Delhi government, however, attacked the MCD.
"It is open to the public how the MCD functions. Before they slam other civic agencies, they should provide proper civic facilities," a government official said on condition of anonymity.
"Inefficient handling of de-silting and cleaning of drains, bell-mouths and gully-gratings are the main causes for the flooding of roads," he said.
The MCD is one of the largest municipal bodies in the world, covering most of Delhi's population.
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