Multiciplicity of authorities is playing havoc with drainage system: Delhi High Court

Lambasting the local bodies for not doing their work and passing the buck on each other, the Delhi High Court on Thursday said the severe waterlogging on the roads in the national capital was due to clogging of drains by plastics and other non-biodegradable materials.

“Each of the agency in the capital of Delhi do not do their work and, because of the multiplicity of the agencies, they pass the buck on each other,” a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar said.

Their strident reaction came a day after another high court bench said “we cannot tolerate this year after year”, while commenting on the water-logging on major roads and crippling of traffic movement in large parts of Delhi.

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The bench made the remarks today after it was told by the counsel for Public Works Department (PWD) that they were only responsible for 1226 kms of roads in the city, while three MCDs said they should not be blamed for the overflowing drains during rains, as it was the PWD’s responsibility also.

The court was hearing a PIL by Col (Rtd) B B Sharan who has sought direction for maintaining cleanliness in Delhi.

“The local bodies, including the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board were asked to frame bye-laws incorporating the provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules in exercise of powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act...

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“In absence of setting up of the infrastructure for segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste in Delhi, it would be difficult to stop clogging of drains. The non-biodegradable materials is the main reason for clogging of drains, which we can see from the recent waterlogging in Delhi,” the court said.

“It appears that the local bodies of Delhi are not serious. Therefore, we direct them to frame bye-laws and implement them as soon as possible,” it said.