Mon Jul 28 19:12:20 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Delhi High Court has expressed serious concern over the “enormous confusion” and buck-passing among Delhi’s various civic agencies regarding water management and drainage issues. The court, hearing petitions related to waterlogging and rainwater harvesting, noted that the division of responsibilities between agencies like the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has led to neglect and excessive flooding. Additionally, resident actions often block drains. A specific case involving the Maharani Bagh colony, flooded due to holes in the Ring Road walls, highlights the overall apathy. The Court instructed the Delhi government to decide on centralizing administration and management in the Capital. The Court has directed the PWD and MCD to hold a meeting with the residents on August 2 after conducting a site inspection and file a joint status report on the efforts to solve the issue.
**News Article:**
**Delhi High Court Slams Civic Agencies Over Flood Chaos, Calls for Centralized Administration**
**New Delhi, July 29, 2025** – The Delhi High Court has issued a stinging rebuke to various civic agencies in the capital, citing “enormous confusion” and a blatant lack of coordination in addressing the city’s persistent waterlogging problems. The court’s criticism came during a hearing on petitions related to waterlogging and rainwater harvesting, where Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet P.S. Arora expressed frustration over the division of responsibilities, leading to neglect and widespread flooding.
The court highlighted the division of responsibilities for stormwater drains (MCD) and sewage lines (DJB) as a major source of the problem. “This has led to non-maintenance of either of the lines, leading to excessive flooding in the city,” the court observed. Additionally, the court noted that residents often contribute to the issue by blocking drains with construction or other obstructions.
A specific case involving the Maharani Bagh colony underscored the severity of the situation. Residents reported flooding due to holes in the Ring Road walls, which the Public Works Department (PWD) claimed were pre-existing and merely unblocked. The court stated the residents’ plea shows the apathy existing across Delhi due to multiple agencies functioning.
The court has been examining various aspects related to the Taimur Nagar drain adjacent to Maharani Bagh colony and has been issuing directions from time to time.
The High Court has ordered the Delhi government, led by Rekha Gupta, to take a “comprehensive decision” on centralizing the administration and management of civic services in Delhi. This move aims to eliminate the current blame game and ensure accountability for resolving water management issues. The court also directed the PWD and MCD to hold a meeting with the residents of Maharani Bagh on August 2, following a site inspection, to address the immediate flooding problems and submit a joint status report.
The High Court’s strong stance signals a potential overhaul of Delhi’s civic administration in an effort to finally tackle the recurring problem of flooding in the capital.
First Piper 