NEW DELHI: More than a year after recurring waterlogging began at the RR Hospital underpass near Dhaula Kuan, Delhi’s civic agencies have failed to identify the exact cause of the problem despite spending over ₹15 lakh on repairs, prompting the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take charge of the stretch.
According to a presentation made during a Delhi government meeting last week, the underpass, located on the Dhaula Kuan–Terminal 1 approach road, was formally handed over to NHAI in November. The move allows the authority to engage expert agencies and seek financial assistance from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to find a permanent solution.
Officials said repeated efforts by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to trace the source of water seepage have failed. During a November meeting, the MoRTH secretary directed that a specialised agency such as WAPCOS be appointed to identify the leakage source. NHAI will assume maintenance of the underpass after the leakage issue is resolved, with funding support from the Ministry of Defence, as the stretch is not a notified national highway.
At a meeting chaired by the Delhi chief minister last week, agencies indicated that the waterlogging may be linked to suspected seepage from the retaining wall beneath the underpass. Public Works Department (PWD) records show that ₹15.79 lakh was paid to DJB to detect and disconnect a 300mm water pipeline, but the problem has continued unabated.
PWD officials said the underpass was originally constructed by NHAI and later transferred to the department for routine maintenance. Complaints of water accumulation first surfaced in December 2024 near Parade Road, close to the Manekshaw Centre, though the incidents were initially sporadic.
“At first, waterlogging occurred only on certain days, leading us to suspect deliberate discharge. However, the frequency gradually increased. Inspections did not reveal any visible leakage,” a senior PWD official said.
Water samples collected from the site later showed the presence of chlorine, indicating treated water supply. This prompted authorities to suspect leakage from DJB pipelines. Officials confirmed that two pipelines pass beneath the underpass one belonging to DJB and another operated by the Military Engineering Services (MES).
With NHAI now overseeing the site, experts are expected to examine both pipelines, including the MES line, to determine the exact source of the leakage and prevent further disruptions.
The persistent waterlogging has caused repeated inconvenience to commuters on one of south Delhi’s key arterial routes, particularly during the monsoon season, raising concerns over infrastructure accountability and coordination among civic agencies.