New Delhi: Several parts of Lutyens’ Delhi were inundated Monday. In Connaught Place’s Outer Circle, rainwater entered many shops, including those in G Block near Panchkuian Road. Eateries in Municipal Market, like Kake Da Hotel near M and L Blocks, were also waterlogged.Sharing videos of an inundated Janpath Market, traders alleged the situation didn’t change though new drainage pipelines had been laid barely a month ago. Similar videos of 11 Murti Marg, Hanuman Road, Barakhama Road and the area near Shivaji Stadium metro station flooded social media.New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials, however, maintained the water that accumulated due to the heavy rainfall was cleared within 15 to 30 minutes owing to the deployment of adequate staff and equipment on the ground since morning.NDMC vice-chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal visited waterlogging hotspots, including Africa Avenue, along with senior officers from civil, roads, drainage, horticulture and electrical departments to review the ground situation and ensure uninterrupted public services.“No major waterlogging was reported anywhere. Swift NDMC response helped in timely resolution of all 38 rain-related complaints, including 19 of waterlogging, six regarding fallen trees and 13 over power outages,” he said.Field machinery and emergency response teams were activated, he said, adding, “Locations once considered major waterlogging hotspots, including Bharti Nagar, Golf Links, Ravinder Nagar, Minto Bridge, Kaka Ka Hotel and Mother Teresa Crescent, remained free from significant waterlogging. There is no vulnerable point in NDMC,” claimed Chahal.However, complaints of waterlogging were received from Gole Market, Shahjahan Road, Krishna Menon Marg, Golf Links, Dara Shikoh Road, Rajdoot Marg, Jor Bagh, Janpath, Connaught Place, Lodhi Colony, Sarojini Nagar, Firoz Shah Road, Atul Grove Road, Todar Mal Lane, Imperial Hotel area, South Avenue, Laxmi Bai Nagar, Bengali Market, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, KG Marg, BK Dutt Colony, INA and adjoining localities.Complaints of fallen trees were reported from Janpath, Teen Murti Lane, Gole Market, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Bharat Vikas Path near India Gate and Bhagwan Das Road. NDMC’s horticulture teams removed the trees and restored traffic movement, said officials.Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) issued a circular cancelling the leave of all its officers and other employees with immediate effect in view of the rainfall, waterlogging and other monsoon-related challenges. The decision was taken to ensure uninterrupted services, strengthen disaster management, enable a swift response to emergencies and prevent disruption to relief and rescue operations, it said.
