Full Text
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 29th May, 2026
RAVINDER YADAV .....Petitioner
Through: Petitioner in person.
Through: Mr. Dhruv Rohatgi, Ms. Chandrika Sachdev, Advs. for GNCTD.
Mr. Rajeev Verma - CS Delhi, Mr. Sandeep Kumar – Pr. Sec PWD, Mr. Sanjeev Kirwar - Commissioner, MCD, Mr. Vijay Kumar Bhiduri - UD
CEO DJB, Mr. Anil Sharma, CE IFCD..
Mr. Tushar Sannu, Ms. Rajbala, Mr, Vaibhav Tripathi, Ms. Payal Rajput, Advocates.
Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)
JUDGMENT
1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.
2. On the last date of hearing i.e., 23rd May, 2026, the Chief Secretary, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (hereinafter, ‘GNCTD’), who had appeared, was requested to consider whether a Special Task Force (hereinafter, ‘STF’) was required to be created for the purpose of coordination between various agencies to address the issues of waterlogging in Delhi and other related issues concerning the sewage drains, storm water drains etc., Paragraph 16 of the order dated 23rd May, 2026 reads as under:-
16. The chart placed today by I&FCD shows that there is considerable collaborative effort that would be required between the agencies to bring in over-all improvement in the water logging situation. Thus, the Chief Secretary of GNCTD and his team may consider whether a Special Task Force needs to be created. Constitution of such a Special Task Force, consisting of senior officials of the various agencies such as I&FCD, MCD, NDMC, PWD, DJB, DSIIDC, with the said STF being vested with overall supervisory and managerial powers would enable coordination and eliminate delays in decision-making considerably. Presently, there is confusion as to which agency is incharge of which drain and which sewer line. It is seen in some places that the same drain is partially under the control of multiple agencies which completely derails proper working and maintenance. Let this issue be considered and a status report on the decision taken be placed on record by the next date of hearing.”
3. On this aspect of constitution of the STF, Mr. Dhruv Rohtagi, ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the GNCTD has presented a report to the Court wherein detailed submissions have been made to the effect that initially the National Green Tribunal (hereinafter, ‘NGT’) had vide order dated 18th February, 2020 in OA No. 06/2012 directed constitution of an Integrated Drain Management Cell.
4. The said Integrated Drain Management Cell (hereinafter, ‘IDMC’) was constituted on 17th March, 2020 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, GNCTD. However, the GNCTD had approached the NGT for modification of the orders passed by it. Two committees i.e., a High Level Committee and the Executive Committee were constituted. The High Level Committee is headed by the Chief Minister, GNCTD and the Executive Committee is headed by the Chief Secretary, GNCTD. Both these Committees are stated to be presently functioning.
5. As per the report of the GNCTD, the application for modification and substitution of the IDMC Cell with the abovementioned committees is stated to be still pending before the NGT.
6. Ld. Counsel for the GNCTD submits that the IDMC Cell is also functional since 3rd June 2024. An order dated 29th July, 2025 passed by the Department of Urban Development, GNCTD has also been placed on record as per which the IDMC cell consists of the following members:
7. Insofar as the constitution of the STF is concerned, the status report of the GNCTD states as under:-
8. A perusal of the role of the IDMC Cell and the requirement for the STF would now show that there is considerable overlap and again, creation of multiple committees or agencies would not serve the purpose.
9. Since the IDMC Cell is already functional, in the opinion of this Court, officials from Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (hereinafter, ‘DUSIB’) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (hereinafter, ‘DSIIDC’) shall also be added as members into the said cell and the said cell can function as the STF.
10. Accordingly, the IDMC Cell shall now consist of the following members:-
11. The IDMC Cell shall be entrusted with the responsibility of undertaking, supervising, coordinating, and ensuring the effective implementation of the following functions and activities, which shall constitute its mandate: i) It shall oversee and supervise the issues relating to waterlogging, drain management, sewage management, water pipes, any encroachments on drains, unauthorised constructions, cleaning, maintenance, management and any other connected related issues in Delhi. ii) The cell, under the supervision of Mr. Sandeep Mishra, shall meet every Friday at 11:30 A.M. for the first three months from the date of this order, in order to take stock of the forthcoming monsoon season, including the decanting of drains, clearing of roads, footpaths and pedestrian areas, removal of unauthorised vending over drains, removal of encroachments, and to review the status of compliance of all measures required to be undertaken in this regard. iii) The IDMC Cell which shall also act as the STF for this purpose shall be free to include in its meetings any other Departments or Authorities whose services would be required for the purposes of ensuring that waterlogging does not take place in Delhi. iv) Whenever any agency carrying out any work on the above aspects faces any difficulty in coordination with other agencies, the same shall be brought to the notice of the IDMC cell who shall enable coordination and resolve the issue. v) The concerned officials from all department are to be sensitised that they ought not to engage in a blame game situation and shift the burden or blame to non-cooperation from any agency. Officials including Executive Engineers shall be sensitised to this Order, so that any works that are pending can be executed with promptitude, in required, with the intervention of the IDMC cell.
12. The IDMC Cell shall file periodic reports on work being carried out from time to time before this Court.
13. The work of the STF/IDMC Cell is of utmost importance, especially, for the next three months during the monsoon season. It is made clear that if more than one weekly meeting is required, the IDMC cell is free to call for such a meeting.
14. The Principal Secretary, Public Works Department (hereinafter, ‘PWD’), in compliance with the order dated 23rd May, 2026, has also handed over a status report regarding the work that is to be carried out in the various drains in Delhi. The relevant portion of the same reads as under:
15. The work as per the above report filed by the PWD shall also be supervised by the STF/ IDMC Cell constituted above.
16. Insofar as the photographs handed over by the Petitioner is concerned, a status report has been handed over by Mr. Dhruv Rohatgi, ld. Counsel wherein it is stated that side drains are being constructed to ensure the water does not flow into the houses, offices and shops.
17. Let a copy of the said status report be handed over to the Petitioner - Mr. Ravinder Yadav.
18. At this stage, the Petitioner- Mr. Ravinder Yadav has handed over certain photographs to show that the level of the drain is not proper considering the lowest point in the area. Let the Petitioner explain the same to the concerned officials of the Irrigation & Flood Control Department, who may consider the submission made by Mr. Yadav and take remedial measures, if required.
19. List on 30th June, 2026.
PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA JUDGE MAY 29, 2026 MR/Ck