Government Faces Backlash as G20 Venue Succumbs to Rainwater Inflow in Delhi
New Delhi, – Visuals of a flooded Bharat Mandapam, the designated venue for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, have gone viral on social media following heavy rainfall in the capital city. The incident has prompted strong criticism from the opposition parties, particularly the Congress, as they question the government’s development claims.
The Congress party took a jab at the government after sharing the viral video, which also depicts efforts to pump out the waterlogged area. In their post, the Congress asserted that the government’s claims of development have been exposed, as the substantial investment of Rs 2,700 crore in the G20 venue appeared to have been washed away in just one day of rain.
Urban Development Minister Expresses Concern
Delhi’s Urban Development Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, expressed deep concern over the situation and directed his criticism towards Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Waterlogging was reported inside the expansive Bharat Mandapam, the primary venue for the G20 Summit at Pragati Maidan, following overnight rain in the national capital. Bharadwaj posted a video on social media showcasing water accumulation within the Bharat Mandapam complex and tagged the Lieutenant Governor. He urged immediate action, stating, “This is very serious. Even after your 50+ inspections, if the main area around Mandapam is submerged in water, then heads must roll. I, as Minister of Delhi, don’t have control over this Central Government area, or else I would have assisted you, sir.”
However, the Public Works Department (PWD) countered the claims, stating that while there was heavy waterlogging, everything was functioning smoothly around the VVIP routes and locations near the G20 area, including Rajghat, Akshardham, and Ring Road.
Social Media Outcry
Social media users voiced their discontent, sharing images and videos of the inundated venue. One user highlighted the irony of the situation, where 21 countries’ leaders had dined just 12 hours before the flooding, and questioned the effectiveness of the substantial investment made in the past six months. Another user criticized the Modi-Kejriwal regime for the state of the G20 venue after such a short bout of rain.
Saket Gokhale Raises Questions
Saket Gokhale, a prominent commentator, drew attention to the flooded G20 Summit venue, emphasizing that it had been constructed after substantial funding of 4,000 crores. He raised questions about the utilization of these funds and suggested possible embezzlement by the Modi government. Several users echoed these concerns, further criticizing the government’s handling of the situation.
Government Responds
In response to the flooding claims, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking wing labeled them as “exaggerated.” They clarified that while there was minor waterlogging in the Bharat Mandapam area, it was swiftly cleared within 20 minutes. The government agency sought to downplay the severity of the incident amidst growing criticism.
