Delhi Govt Cancels Officers’ Leaves to Gear Up for Monsoon.

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To avoid the usual waterlogging problems, the Delhi government has cancelled all leaves for officers from junior engineers (JE) and above in key departments like Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Public Works Department (PWD), and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) until September 15. Officials said the focus is on clearing drains and finishing important work before the rains arrive.

The General Administration Department (GAD) has asked these departments to speed things up. Every year, heavy rains cause flooded streets, damaged roads, and a lot of trouble for people. With the monsoon close, the government wants quick action — clearing drains, repairing roads, and removing any blockages that could cause flooding.

The GAD made it clear that officers must stay on duty. “No leaves will be allowed for officers from JE level and above till September 15,” the order said. Only serious medical emergencies will be considered, and even then, approval must come from top officials.

Waterlogging has been a major issue in Delhi. Last year, areas like South Delhi, AIIMS, the airport, Dhaula Kuan, and ITO faced heavy flooding and massive traffic jams. In 2023, spots like Chandni Chowk and Pragati Maidan Tunnel stayed waterlogged for two days.

This year, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is closely monitoring preparations. She has appointed 335 PWD engineers to watch over waterlogging hotspots and warned officers against negligence.

Last year, Delhi had 308 waterlogging hotspots; this year, the number is down to 194.