New Delhi, July 28: The Delhi Congress on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Delhi government over widespread waterlogging following heavy rainfall in the national capital, alleging that the first major spell of monsoon rain had exposed the gaps in the administration’s preparedness and drainage management.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav criticised the Rekha Gupta-led government, claiming that despite repeated assurances about reducing waterlogging hotspots and improving drainage systems, several parts of Delhi were once again submerged after heavy showers.
Yadav said that the rainfall had disrupted normal life across multiple areas, with roads, markets, residential colonies and commercial zones witnessing severe water accumulation. He specifically pointed to locations such as Connaught Place, Janpath, ITO, Mandi House and several areas in outer Delhi, where waterlogging reportedly affected traffic movement and daily activities.
The Congress leader questioned the BJP government’s claim that the number of waterlogging-prone locations in the city had been reduced from 169 to only 34 hotspots. He said the situation on the ground after Tuesday’s rainfall presented a different picture and alleged that the claims of improved monsoon management had failed the first major test of the rainy season.
“Despite claims of better planning and monitoring, Delhi continues to face the same problems every year during monsoon,” Yadav said, alleging that long traffic jams, flooded roads and inconvenience to commuters showed that the drainage arrangements were not sufficient.
He further alleged that waterlogging at major junctions and important roads reflected poor coordination between government agencies responsible for maintaining drains, operating pumping stations and managing rainwater discharge. According to him, the government’s claims of regular monitoring of vulnerable areas and quick action during rainfall had not translated into visible improvements for residents.
Yadav also raised questions over the government’s statement regarding drain-cleaning work. He alleged that the process of desilting drains remained largely limited to official reports and paperwork. While the administration had claimed that more than 3 million metric tonnes of silt were removed from drains ahead of the monsoon, the widespread flooding after rainfall indicated that the drainage infrastructure still required major improvements, he said.
The DPCC president accused the government of failing to address the long-standing issue of urban flooding in Delhi. He said that residents had continued to suffer from waterlogging, traffic congestion, road damage and rain-related accidents during every monsoon season for more than a decade.
Targeting both the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the current BJP administration, Yadav alleged that successive governments had failed to find a permanent solution despite repeated promises and announcements. He demanded greater accountability, better coordination among civic agencies and a long-term strategy to strengthen Delhi’s drainage network.
The Congress leader said that monsoon-related problems had become an annual challenge for Delhi residents and urged the BJP government to move beyond temporary measures and take concrete steps to prevent recurring waterlogging in the capital.
