Many areas of Delhi are currently facing floods. The reason for this flood is not because of excessive rain, but due to the rain water not being able to drain out properly. Urban affairs experts have expressed concern that no lessons have been learned from the flood situation in Delhi and the new master plan has also not taken adequate measures to come out of such a situation. In such a situation, the capital may have to face flood situation in the coming times as well.
Presently a new Master Plan 2041 for Delhi is being considered. The idea has been submitted through a draft to the GoM headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which is looking into its various dimensions. Urban affairs experts believe that proper assessment of the potential population of Delhi in 2041 should be done and the right method of drainage and water management should be introduced in it. But proper arrangements have not been made for this in the new draft. Describing it as a future plan to submerge Delhi in its own water, experts have suggested drainage and water management.
Experts suggest that for proper management of rain water, rain water harvesting should be made mandatory in every new colony, new park, every newly constructed building. Rain water harvesting should also be made mandatory in big hotels, malls, markets and public buildings. Similarly, large water harvesting centers should be developed at the right places along the major roads. Due to this, rain water can be collected in the area in which the said buildings are built. On one hand, this will help in avoiding floods, on the other hand, the dependence on water can also be reduced by using this water for other purposes during summer.
Even at this time, it is mandatory for buildings larger than 100 meter area to make rain water harvesting centers, but it is alleged that rain water harvesting centers are not being developed in such buildings. From above, the work of lowering the water level by drawing underground water is going on in big buildings. This should be stopped immediately.
become the nodal agency
In a region like Delhi, there are different agencies working in different areas. Central Government, Government of Delhi, DDA, NDMC and Municipal Corporation of Delhi work for land, construction and other works in their respective areas. Due to the absence of a nodal agency, coordination between all the agencies is not possible. Experts are of the opinion that if all the agencies work within a nodal agency and everyone’s accountability is fixed for a plan, then this type of flood can be dealt with.
Pragati Maidan Tunnel opened pole
The tunnel built at Pragati Maidan has exposed the low level of our preparation for civil works. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself inaugurated the 1.3 kilometer long tunnel at Pragati Maidan. Even at the time of its inauguration, it was claimed that adequate arrangements have been made in it to deal with security, drainage and emergency assistance. But the rain water has exposed all these claims. Due to accumulation of heavy water in the Pragati Maidan tunnel, it has become like a lake and it has been temporarily closed.
Delhi forced to drown in its own water
Urban affairs expert Jagdish Mamgain told Amar Ujala that the drainage system in the capital dates back to 1976, whereas since then the population of the city has increased by at least five times. During this time a large number of houses have been built in every street and the number of people living in each house has also increased. But the drainage system is not adequate due to which the rain water is not getting out. This rain water is causing floods in Delhi.
There is no system of drainage-water management even in new raw colonies
In areas like Lutyen’s Delhi, the drainage system dates back to the British era. But in the new raw colonies that are being developed, proper drainage system is not being done according to the population. This is the reason why areas like Bhajanpura, Sonia Vihar, Gokalpuri and Okhla start submerging even with little rain and people have to suffer loss of life and property.
Flood alerts should be better – experts
Prasoon Singh, a fellow associated with flood control research at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), said that rainwater is like an asset, which should be used to its fullest. If not used properly, this wealth is emerging as a threat to cities like Delhi. He said that in urban planning every household should be motivated to develop spots for water harvesting according to their capacity. This can help prevent floods by storing rainwater.
The infrastructure of a city cannot be developed in such a way that it is fully capable of handling the rainfall even after 50 years. There may be lack of sufficient land and money for this. But the workable system which is possible to be made even for 20-25 years should be made.
According to Prasoon Singh, in order to control floods in urban areas, it can be more beneficial to select the places affected by floods on proper forecast of monsoon and take immediate action on them. For this, it is very necessary for all the agencies to work in better coordination.
