Delhi CM Gupta says Friday’s rain an alarm for whole system; blames ‘development backlog’ of AAP Govt

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta blames AAP for city's crumbling infrastructure after pre-monsoon showers, highlighting need for urban planning.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta termed the pre-monsoon showers on Friday (May 2, 2025) a warning sign for the Capital's crumbling infrastructure, blaming it on the "decade-long development backlog" created by the previous AAP Government.

Taking a dig at Arvind Kejriwal, she said the AAP chief was oblivious to the problems of waterlogging and broken trees as he would be busy with his "sound-proof" sleep in the "Sheesh Mahal" — a term the BJP gave to the former Chief Minister's official residence accusing it of unnecessary opulence.

Ms. Gupta who visited Majnu Ka Tila area following heavy rainfall in the city stressed the need for planned urban growth to prevent such recurring crises.

The city was hit by waterlogging and traffic disruptions, many due to fallen trees due to the early morning rain and storm on Friday (May 2).

A house collapse in Najafgarh killed a woman and her three children as many busy road stretches, including Minto Bridge and ITO, were waterlogged, causing heavy traffic jams.

The Chief Minister directed officials to begin repair work on potholes and sewers to help prevent waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon season.

During the Devi EV bus inauguration, Ms. Gupta said, "I want to thank god for this untimely rain today which is an alarm for the whole system... This is not a one-day problem but an issue of backlog of development, system breakdowns and apathy of administration in Delhi in the past 10-15 years," she said. "These matters would not reach Kejriwal's ears as he used to enjoy sound-proof sleep in his Sheesh Mahal, oblivious of thunderstorms, broken trees and waterlogging." Ms. Gupta added that from early morning, Ministers and Officials were on the ground monitoring the situation. Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma was at Minto Road by 6 a.m., and officers have been working since 5 a.m., she said.