New Delhi: The BJP on Monday criticized the AAP government for the waterlogging issues in the city, attributing the recent flooding during rains and the scarcity of drinking water to the AAP’s “incompetence.”
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the government had identified several dangerous waterlogging spots, but most of these locations had non-functional pumps. “On June 28, hundreds of permanent water drainage pumps installed by the Public Works Department were not operational. According to our information, they were non-functional because they did not have diesel,” Sachdeva claimed.
In response, AAP countered the charges, saying, “The BJP-led central government governs NDMC. Maximum flooding has been seen in its area, for which BJP is responsible. They are pointing fingers at the Delhi government to hide the reality of flooding in MPs, ministers, and judges’ homes.”
“There is clear corruption in NDMC that has led to this severe flooding. Never before have the homes of MPs, ministers, and judges been flooded. What has happened to all the funds earmarked for desilting? Have all the funds been embezzled? The onus is on BJP and the central government,” said AAP.
“Additionally, poorly designed infrastructure built for the G20 Summit is causing waterlogging. The entire Bharat Mandapam Complex is waterlogged. The ITPO tunnels are waterlogged. Therefore, BJP must stop pointing fingers and answer questions about their own work in NDMC,” the party added.
Continuing his attack on AAP, Sachdeva said even pumps installed by the Delhi Jal Board, the flood department, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi were not working. “Two days after the flooding, minister Atishi visited the pumping station at Minto Road Bridge, and even then, several pumps were not operational,” he alleged.
At the Bharti Nagar pumping station, the pumps of the Public Works Department were found to be non-functional on June 28, and the situation has not improved satisfactorily, he claimed.
Sachdeva also asserted that this year, no additional temporary water drainage pumps were rented and installed, as is usually done every monsoon season. “The Kejriwal government’s argument is that the necessary tender could not be issued due to the model code of conduct. However, this government, engrossed in securing the CM’s bail and fighting elections, did not pay attention to this essential task,” he alleged.
