Waterlogging Catastrophe in Old Rajinder Nagar: Encroachments Under Scrutiny

Encroachments on storm drains in Old Rajinder Nagar led to severe waterlogging, causing the death of three civil services aspirants. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launched a sealing drive against illegal commercial activities in basements, under Mayor Shelly Oberoi's directives. Residents complain about insufficient de-silting of drains.

Encroachments on storm drains led to waterlogging in Old Rajinder Nagar, a senior Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official confirmed on Sunday, a day after a basement in a local coaching centre flooded, causing the deaths of three civil services aspirants. According to the MCD official, the drains are covered by encroachers.

On Saturday evening, water surged into the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle, trapping three students—two females and one male. Locals reported that the drainage system was heavily clogged and overflowed following heavy rains.

The senior MCD official stated that encroachments and covered storm drains on street sides contributed to the flooding. The basement of the building was subsequently inundated.

The coaching centre is situated in MCD's Karol Bagh Zone. Calls and messages to Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Mishra went unanswered. Following Mayor Shelly Oberoi's directives, MCD launched a sealing drive against illegal commercial activities in basements.

Earlier, Oberoi ordered MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to take stringent actions against those running illegal commercial activities and to ascertain the responsibility of any MCD official for the incident in Old Rajinder Nagar.

(With inputs from agencies.)