New Delhi: Delhi government has closed the
sluice gates of 17 nullahs falling in Yamuna to prevent rising
water from coming into the city but civic authorities today
assured that this will not lead to overflowing of drains.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the MCD Standing
Committee where councillors raised concern that the closing of
the gates will lead to insanitary conditions in the city and
increase chances of overflowing due to rains.
Commissioner K S Mehra assured that the closing of gates
was a routine exercise undertaken by the Flood Control
Department of the government to ensure that water from Yamuna
does not flow into the city and cause a deluge.
"However, at all the 17 points, pumps have been installed
and excess water from the drains are being pumped into the
river itself. So there is no fear of overflowing of drains
within the city. At eight points, 10 pumps each of MCD are
working while at nine other points, pumps of Flood Control
Department and DJB are at work," Mehra said.
Several councillors, including Leader of Opposition J K
Sharma also raised the issue of potholes on city roads and
sought to know why the new pothole-repairing machines procured
by the MCD were not being used to repair them.
Mehra said the two machines are being used in various
areas according to requirement.
-PTI
