Recent events in Delhi have brought up important issues about the city’s infrastructure and disaster management. A tragic incident occurred at a coaching center in Rajendra Nagar, where three UPSC aspirants lost their lives due to sudden flooding. This has raised questions about the safety and legality of basement establishments in the city as well as the condition of the city’s drainage system.
Among all this, many Delhiites turned to Twitter and remembered Delhi’s former CM Sheila Dikshit’s tenure.
So half an hour rain and I was driving that time from CR Park to CP to Sadar Bazar. Gosh!! All roads were flooded, traffic chaos, total nightmare. Delhi is in total mess. It took me almost 6 hrs to reach home. Honestly it was not that bad when Sheila Dixit was the CM. https://t.co/NhlUPAbeIj
— Rayhan, John (@JohnRayhan) July 27, 2024
Don't like the Congress' politics, but nothing but respect for Sheila Dixit. She did a great job, and very cooperative with whoever was in centre. Prioritised voters first and foremost.
— Kshitij Malve 🇮🇳 (@KshitijAMalve) July 28, 2024
Delhi under sheila dixit>>>#RajenderNagar
— Piyush Kumar (@PiyushK60731799) July 28, 2024
Heavy rains have caused chaos across the city, showing how weak the city’s drainage system is. The collapse of Terminal-1 at Delhi airport, which resulted in deaths and injuries, and the trapping of workers in Vasant Vihar, highlight the city’s poor preparation for monsoon disasters. Setting up a control room and calling in the National Disaster Response Force are good steps, but they also show the need for proactive measures, not just reactive ones.
These events have sparked a debate about who is responsible for ensuring the safety of infrastructure and citizens. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s call for MPs to stay on the ground during the monsoon season shows the political urgency. At the same time, the Aam Aadmi Party government is setting up a 24-hour control room and launching a WhatsApp chatbot for reporting waterlogging issues, showing a move towards using technology for better governance.
As the city deals with these challenges, it is important to think about the lessons learned and the steps needed to prevent such tragedies in the future. Strengthening the drainage system, making sure buildings follow safety codes, and improving disaster response capabilities are crucial. The combined efforts of the government, civic bodies, and citizens will determine how well this Indian city can handle the challenges of urbanization and climate change.
Sheila Dikshit’s Lasting Impact
Sheila Dikshit’s time as Chief Minister from 1998 to 2013 was a period of big changes for Delhi. Her vision for the city was modern but focused on the needs of everyday people. During her leadership, the city saw the start and growth of the Delhi Metro, which has become the city’s lifeline, cutting down traffic and pollution. The network of flyovers that help ease traffic jams was also built during her time.
Dikshit worked hard to improve the public transport system, not just for convenience but also to protect the environment. She replaced the old, polluting blue line buses with cleaner Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, reducing the city’s pollution. She also saw the need to update the drainage system to keep up with the city’s growth and started a master plan to tackle these challenges. Her forward-thinking approach has been key in managing monsoon floods and maintaining sanitation.
Her promise to upgrade Delhi’s transport infrastructure was something she fulfilled with great dedication. Dikshit’s focus on creating a transport system that meets international standards has put Delhi on the global map. As Delhiites remember Sheila Dikshit today, her legacy of improving urban development and protecting the environment remains a guiding light for solving the city’s current problems.
