The Delhi High Court on Tuesday lamented that a lack of civic sense among people was leading to clogging of drains and water logging during monsoons.

A Bench of Justices Prathiba Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora remarked that smaller countries with heavy rains like Vietnam have been able to prevent such issues.

“How are the small countries doing it? She (lawyer) mentioned Vietnam. Why is this happening? This has to be coordinated with civic sense of the citizens,” the Court remarked.

The Court made the comment after it was shown photographs of drains in Taimoor Nagar. From the photographs, it observed that the drains were still not being maintained properly and that throwing garbage in drains was continuing unabated. 

“This Court would not hesitate in taking stringent action [on throwing garbage in drain],” Justice Singh said.

In order to ensure that residents don't litter, the Bench directed the police beat constables to comply with Court's directions. Further, the Court allowed more time to the civic bodies to construct a boundary wall around the drain.

The Court was hearing a plea concerning water logging in the national capital due to clogged drains. Today, it was shown challans issued by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the offence of littering and noted that higher penalties need to be imposed.

Hence, it suggested MCD to come up with a proposal to raise the fine.

“The fine is ₹500 and compoundable. Considering that the drain leads to water logging, the fine would be liable to be increased. Let MCD consider the same and place a proposal,” the Bench said. 

The Court further stated that the MCD and the Delhi Jal Board need to work together on plugging the discharge point of sewage to ensure that there is no water-logging of stormwater drains.

“As far as open drain is concerned, the Court was informed that the stoned slabs are being placed on drains. Once they are placed, the responsibility for maintaining the slabs will be of the local welfare association."

With respect to a drain on Rohtak road, the Court granted two weeks time to complete work for securing the drain. 

“Considering that the monsoon is almost on the verge of hitting Delhi, the contractor will ensure that the drain is fully functional. The status report states that there is substantial amount of payment pending, let payment be expedited,” the Court directed.

The next date of hearing is July 24.

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