Delhi's Dwarka Road Pit: A Three-Year Public Hazard Sparks Urgent Action
The tragic death of a biker in Janakpuri has prompted authorities to address a similar, long-standing danger in Dwarka. Like the fatal pit on Joginder Singh Marg that claimed Kamal Dyani's life on Friday, another gaping excavation along a busy road in Dwarka has been lurking for over three years, posing a severe threat to commuters.
A Ticking Timebomb in Plain Sight
Residents had long dubbed the unattended pit—originally dug by the Delhi Jal Board for a sewer project—a ticking timebomb. Collapsed barricades around it offered minimal protection to motorists, leaving it exposed and hazardous. On Monday, a blue tin sheet was observed covering the pit along one carriageway of the bustling Dwarka-Dabri Road, with a barricade fencing off the area. However, this appears to be a quick fix at best.
The service lane on the opposite side remains perilously exposed. In one section, only a mound of earth acts as a barrier, while another stretch is secured with what locals describe as a ribbon-like temporary covering. The road surface around this spot is in poor condition, with uneven and broken patches heightening risks, especially for two-wheeler riders. During a visit on Monday afternoon, bikers were seen slowing down to navigate this treacherous stretch.
High-Risk Location and Public Outcry
Given its key location near Madhu Vihar—a busy corridor used daily by thousands of vehicles heading towards Dabri, Dwarka sectors, IGI Airport, and Gurgaon—the road-safety risk is significantly amplified. "Work on the sewer project began in 2022 and was supposed to finish in 45 days. Instead, it has turned into a long-standing public hazard," said Mahesh Mishra, a local and secretary of the Federation of South and West District Welfare Forum. "Though the main site is now covered, the other side is in a dangerous condition."
A source from DJB, which barricaded the pit, stated, "It is important to cover these sites to avoid any unfortunate incident." However, locals view this as a temporary measure rather than a permanent engineering solution. They claim that Resident Welfare Associations have repeatedly lodged complaints about the pit, arguing that Monday's action is largely reactive rather than proactive.
Project Delays and Broader Concerns
Beyond immediate road safety, residents express deep concerns about the delayed sewer project. They assert the pit is 30 feet deep and full of water, highlighting that the Rs 1.34-crore deep-sewer project between Palam drain and Madhu Vihar, launched on April 27, 2022, has been dragging on indefinitely.
This delay has led to regular traffic congestion, particularly during peak office hours, as vehicles must slow down in this area. Sarv Singh, a local resident, emphasized, "We want a timeline for completion of the project, permanent restoration of the road, and accountability for this prolonged delay."
While no official comment was provided regarding the delay, DJB sources explained, "Work had been halted because of technical issues involving digital cable and water supply lines. However, there's not much work left apart from covering some manholes. It has restarted, and the project will be completed under all circumstances."
The situation underscores a critical need for improved infrastructure management and proactive safety measures in Delhi's urban landscape.
