Monsoons season in Delhi once brought joy and excitement, a season that invoked memories of childhood delights—samosas, pakoras, and the pleasant scent of rain-soaked earth. But today, the same season is met with dread and anxiety. The rains have turned into a nightmare, revealing the stark reality of our crumbling infrastructure and governance failures. This isn't just an issue that affects the rich or the poor, a particular religion or community; it's a challenge that touches every single citizen of Delhi. It's high time we come together to demand the future we deserve—for ourselves and for the generations to come.

The Tragic Reality

The recent incident where three young IAS aspirants lost their lives in the basement of their coaching institute has shed light on the grim reality we face. These young lives were cut short not by the wrath of nature but by the negligence of those entrusted with our safety. The real tragedy lies in the fact that it took the loss of innocent lives for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to start sealing illegally operated properties. Were they truly unaware of such illegal constructions, or were they simply turning a blind eye until tragedy struck? This raises an important question: Are these government agencies doing their jobs, or are they waiting for lives to be lost before they act?

Delhi's Pothole Paradise

Delhi's roads have turned into a disaster zone, particularly during the monsoons. The city's drainage system, designed in 1976, is woefully outdated, capable of handling only 50 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The result? Severe waterlogging, overflowing drains, and streets choked with garbage. Despite recommendations for a detailed Drainage Master Plan published in July 2018, which outlined the issues and provided recommendations, little to no progress has been made. Year after year, we witness the same failures. The roads are deteriorating, manholes remain uncovered, and the risks to pedestrians and vehicles continue to grow. Instead of walking on the roads, one might as well take a boat out during the monsoon season.

Check out the report here

Drainage Master Plan for NCT of Delhi

DELHI PRECIPITATION LEVELS

Before we proceed ahead, it here becomes important to analyse the precipitation levels in delhi over the past few years. This will help us better understand that what kind of preparation & infrastructure we must have to be prepared for heavy monsoon scenario.

Data Source : https://www.ceicdata.com/en/india/rainfall-by-states/rainfall-delhi-actual  

Our questions –

Why doed the condition of inadequate drainage infrastructure in Delhi remains?
Why are we still unable to manage Open manholes remains ?
Risk to pedestrians and vehicles due to this remains same or even worse?
 
At this point, you can go for a casual walk and find these open manholes in your area actually never mind, get a boat instead to get on the roads.

The quality of homes, especially in densely populated areas, is compromised due to poor construction standards, making them vulnerable to flooding.   

Why talk about only the highly populated areas when we recently saw the biggest failure when water was dripping at Delhi's international airport that made us a point of mockery worldwide.  

Its saddening to see that we still taking things lightly!  

And ofcourse the never-ending blame game is still on!  

What further irks us is the attitude of common man which is like   

-hum kar hi kya sakte hain??  

Ye humara kaam nhi hai!  

Like seriously? 

Are these issues so irrelevant?  

Infrastructure: A Complete Failure

The failure of Delhi's infrastructure is evident everywhere—from open manholes to the poor construction standards in densely populated areas, which make homes vulnerable to flooding. Even prestigious landmarks like the Delhi International Airport haven't been spared, with water seeping through ceilings, turning the capital city into a point of mockery on the global stage. And yet, the blame game continues, with no real accountability or action.

Electrical Hazards and Illegal Construction

The monsoons also bring with them the very real danger of electrical hazards. Exposed wires and waterlogged areas create life-threatening situations. Adding to the chaos is the rampant illegal construction that flouts safety norms, further straining the already overwhelmed infrastructure. These illegal structures aren't just buildings; they're potential death traps.

Health at Stake

The stagnant water from monsoon rains becomes a breeding ground for diseases like dengue, malaria, and other water-borne illnesses. Just this June, during the pre-monsoon season, Delhi reported 246 cases of dengue—a clear indication of the health risks that lie ahead. Our homes and neighborhoods are under constant threat, and yet, the negligence continues.

The Financial Toll

The financial impact of poor monsoon management is staggering. In 2021 alone, the Delhi government allocated around ₹1,000 crore for flood control and drainage improvements. But where has that money gone? The costs of repairs, emergency measures, and the economic losses due to business disruptions run into billions of rupees each year. This is not just a failure of governance; it's a massive financial burden on the city and its citizens.

Government Actions and Accountability

Year after year, we hear promises of improvement from the government, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Remember how our CM Arvind Kejriwal said “hum Delhi ko jheelon ka Shahar bana denge” or Atishi assuring how everything was under control.

We also researched and came across how an interview, Delhi Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj mentioned how he wrote multiple times to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, urging a comprehensive strategy for fixing drains. However, his requests went unanswered, and a crucial meeting to address waterlogging was ignored by key officials. This negligence is unacceptable.

While some actions have been taken by the MCD, such as terminating a junior engineer and suspending an assistant engineer, these measures come too late. The encroachment removal drive in central Delhi is a step forward, but it begs the question: why did it take so long for these actions to be initiated?

Corruption and Neglect

Is this just incompetence, or is there something more sinister at play? The ease with which illegal constructions and hoardings appear suggests a system deeply entrenched in corruption. Can we trust these authorities to prevent future incidents, or is our safety perpetually at risk?

A Call to Action

As a community, we cannot simply wait for the government to solve all our problems. It's time for us to come together, demand transparency, and take action to prevent future tragedies. Here are some steps we can take to prevent monsoon issues in Delhi:

• Community Clean-Up Drives: Organize regular clean-up efforts to remove garbage and debris from streets and drains.
• Report Issues: Use local apps and helplines to report hazards like open manholes and exposed wires. If no action is taken, escalate the issue through higher portals, engage with the media, and rally your community.
• Educate and Raise Awareness: Spread awareness about the dangers of waterlogging and the importance of proper waste disposal. Teach your children these values as well.
• Volunteer During Emergencies: In times of severe flooding, volunteer to assist in relief efforts, whether by helping with evacuations, distributing food and water, or providing shelter.

Conclusion

Monsoon season in Delhi and throughout India, should be a time of renewal and hope, not fear and loss. Together, we can ensure a safer, more resilient Delhi. Let us unite and work towards a future where the rains bring joy, not sorrow. We believe in the power of community and the need to hold our leaders accountable. This isn't just about likes and shares; it's about our rights as citizens. Let’s ensure that we hold these officials accountable for their duties and that each of us does our part as responsible citizens. If there's something we've missed, let us know in the comments below. Your voice matters—let's use it to build a better future.