Waterlogged underpasses add to traffic mess
The underpasses in the capital at various important intersections were supposed to be an integral part of the solution from traffic jams. However, whenever it rains, they get submerged further worsening the problem, rather than solving it. Officials with various civic agencies, however, seemed to be resigned to the problem saying not
much can be done to alleviate the problem. Early this week, when heavy rains lashed the city on Monday, all the major underpasses — at Dhaula Kuan, Dwarka and the latest addition at Shakarpur — got submerged under water. With vehicles getting stuck in water, the situation only worsened. Later, explaining the reason behind the water logging at Dhaula Kuan, a high ranking official of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had conceded that it took place because there is no natural gradient for water to drain out from the underpass. To make matters worse, empty pipes for laying of wires also brought extra water into the underpass. “The only way out is to pump out the water,” said an official. Same was the case with the underpass at Shakarpur (ITO chungi), where water remained on the road till late afternoon the next day. On Thursday, when it rained only around the IGI Airport, there were problems at Dwarka underpass with traffic jam being reported till as late as 9 pm. Incidentally, following the previous years’ problem, it was decided that a storm water drain from Mahipalpur to Najafgarh would be built.
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