Use drones to identify waterlogging sites: Delhi HC

NEW DELHI: In a bid to tackle traffic snarls in the city during the monsoon, the Delhi high court has suggested the use of drones to help the authorities to easily identify the sites where waterlogging is taking place.

A two-judge bench of Justices G.S. Sistani and Jyoti Singh also suggested to set up a control room so that quick information on traffic jams and waterlogging can be reported and suitable action can be taken in the shortest time.

The court also asked the authorities to ensure that the pumps are manned by operators every day during the monsoon season and the moment the water starts getting collected, the pumps should be put to use so that there is no water logging and the citizens are not inconvenienced by traffic jams.

The court noted that on the one hand, there is logging and on the other an acute shortage of water. It said. “This we say, so that the department can look into this aspect and consider rainwater harvesting near those sites, where there is clogging and collection of water. This would serve two purposes as the area would stand clear of  waterlogging and the collection of water would help raise the underground level.”

The bench said: “We have no hesitation in saying that all the departments would cooperate with each other to ensure that the citizens are not inconvenienced during the coming monsoon.” The court directed the Aam Aadmi Party government to file a status report be filed before July 24, the next date of hearing.

During the hearing, the Delhi government additional standing counsel Gautam Narayan submitted a status report stating that they have identified problematic areas of waterlogging and long term and short term measures proposed have been highlighted.

The court said: “We are informed that at most of the sites, water pumps are installed and on the remaining sites water pumps shall be installed shortly. We are also informed that in the past, the water pumps were not effective as de-silting was not complete.