National
PWD Expands Desilting Efforts Before Monsoon; Verma Reviews Key Drainage Sites in Mehrauli
Verma visited five crucial locations known for waterlogging issues, including drains near Saket Gurudwara, Dargah Mehrauli, Moti Lal Nehru Camp, Kusumpur Pahadi, and the Qutub Institute Area.
Verma criticized past administrations for viewing the monsoon as a disaster, stating that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, it should now be seen as an opportunity for effective governance. He expressed a firm commitment to improving readiness, responsiveness, and achieving tangible results.
Addressing the media, Verma assured that negligence and incompetence would no longer plague the national capital. He highlighted that Delhi’s drainage system has been neglected for over a decade, with no major sewer projects initiated in the last ten years, which has exacerbated urban flooding in several areas.
Accompanied by senior officials from the PWD, Delhi Jal Board, and the Irrigation Department, along with local MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Mehrauli MLA Gajendra Yadav, Verma’s inspection focused on evaluating desilting status and identifying structural issues.
Local residents, engineers, and municipal officials were present during the visit, where Verma addressed public concerns directly. He stated, “Our message is clear — no excuses will be accepted. Every department must collaborate effectively, and every drain must be desilted and ready before the rain begins. We owe it to the people of Delhi.”
During his inspection, Verma paid close attention to clogged drains, missing slabs, and encroachments blocking water flow. He ordered the immediate deployment of additional machinery and personnel to high-risk areas and required daily progress reports from officials until June 15.
Verma instructed that all five Mehrauli sites must be desilted by June 15 and directed the establishment of rapid response teams for heavy rain alerts. Drain-cleaning operations will be monitored via live GPS, with daily coordination reports from PWD, DJB, and the Irrigation Department relayed to a central control room.
He commended the dedication of field engineers and sanitation staff working under tight deadlines, emphasizing the need for real-time coordination among departments to effectively address challenges during peak rainfall.
These inspections are part of a broader campaign to ensure Delhi is prepared for monsoon season in a timely and accountable manner. The Irrigation Department has also been tasked with clearing natural stormwater drains and eliminating encroachments in vulnerable areas like Mehrauli.
Verma reaffirmed, “This isn’t merely a drain-cleaning initiative; it reflects our government’s commitment to ensuring that Delhiites no longer suffer due to inaction. While previous administrations made excuses, we will be present on the ground — before, during, and after the rains — to ensure our systems function optimally and our citizens remain protected.”
National
MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
National
8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
National
75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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