Encroachment of drains widespread, law needed to tackle problem: Delhi CS

The problem of encroachment of drains in the city is so "widespread" that it cannot be resolved without a proper legislative framework, Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has said.

Kumar cited the Old Rajinder Nagar incident in which three civil services aspirants drowned in the flooded basement library of a coaching centre.

In his reply to a note of Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday, the chief secretary requested him to move the file on drainage plan recommendations for Delhi, including need of a 'Storm Water and Drainage Act for Delhi' so that draft of the legislation could be initiated by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

The recommended 'Storm Water and Drainage Act' is proposed to have provisions for penalties on encroachment, dumping of construction, municipal and industrial solid waste in the city's drains.

Kumar in his reply to Bharadwaj, who is also Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC)Minister, said that the file was pending with him since .