Ahead of Monsoon, PWD Rolls Out Time-Bound Maintenance Plan for Hotspots

New Delhi: Ahead of the monsoon season, Public Works Department (PWD) has planned a series of remedial measures to tackle waterlogging at vulnerable locations on roads under its jurisdiction.The department has earmarked more than Rs 2 crore for the works. The current proposal pertains to roads under the Central and New Delhi (C&ND) roads division, which covers stretches of Ring Road, GT Road, Purana Qila Road, and parts of Mathura Road. Sources, however, indicated that similar preventive works are likely to be undertaken at other critical locations across the city.Overall, Delhi has identified hundreds of vulnerable waterlogging spots over the past three years. According to official records, 448 waterlogging-prone points were mapped across the city during surveys conducted in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The timeline for the works listed in the current tender is 107 days from the date of award.The scope of work focuses heavily on drainage maintenance and rapid response during the monsoon. Contractors will be required to regularly clean drainage pipes beneath footpaths, road surfaces, remove accumulated water during waterlogging incidents and maintain road signs, delineators and overhead signboards. Damaged traffic signage must be repaired within 24 hours of being identified.The scope also mandates prompt civil repairs. Dislocated kerb stones must be refixed within 24 hours, while missing or damaged manhole covers are to be replaced within two hours of identification. Minor repairs to damaged carriageways, footpaths, cycle tracks, central verges and related infrastructure must be completed within 48 hours.To improve upkeep of public infrastructure, contractors will have to carry out daily inspections of road furniture and signage, remove banners, posters, hoardings and wall writings, and maintain a database of road assets. The database is to be updated daily, with reports submitted to PWD officials every fortnight.The contract also includes property management responsibilities. Maintenance vans will patrol roads daily to identify defects and encroachments. Fresh encroachments, as well as unauthorised posters and banners, must be removed within two hours of detection. Regular monitoring of road conditions has also been made part of the mandate.The document further prescribes safety measures for sewer and manhole operations. Before workers enter active manholes, the covers must remain open for at least an hour to ensure proper ventilation. Contractors will also be required to barricade the area and install warning signs to prevent accidents involving pedestrians and motorists.