'We've Been Reduced To Municipal Commissioners': Delhi High Court Raps PWD For Ignoring Drainage Issues In Tihar Jail

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi Government over unclean sewer lines in Tihar jail, remarking that the Court has been “reduced to municipal commissioners.”

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a PIL filed by a life convict, Sonu Dahiya, highlighting “unhygienic living conditions” in the Tihar jail due to drainage issues.

During the hearing, the Executive Engineer of PWD appeared before the Court which asked him that why the sewer lines which were laid in 2024 were not connected with the main sewer line.

“You received letters from the prison authorities pertaining not only for ensuring connecting sewer lines to main sewer line but also regarding cleanings,” the Court asked the officer who responded that a tender has been issued for the purpose of cleaning of the sewer lines.

“The need of cleaning arises only due to non connection of sewage lines to main sewage line because of which there is choking. And you are aware about it since March. Why you have woken up only when this petition has been filed? Why did you not attend the problem in March or April or before monsoon? Why did you wait for the petition to be filed? Are we municipal corporation?” the bench continued.

It further added: “Can you understand the problem faced by the inmates due to sanitation problem of sewage lines? You float the tender during the mid of the monsoon…Should we summon the authority responsible for approval (of tender)?…We have been reduced to municipal commissioners. How long would it take for you to clean (the sewage lines)?”

The Court perused the status report filed by the Superintendent of Tihar Jail and recorded the statement of Executive Engineer of PWD that as a temporary measure, cleaning of sewer lines has started and will be completed by August 25.

The officer further stated that at present, only one supersucker machine has been deployed but due to urgency, more machines will be used to ensure that cleaning work is completed by August 25.

He further said that the sewer lines laid down in 2024 will be connected with main sewage line and the work shall be completed within four weeks as the tender for the same has been finalized. 

Case title: Sonu Dahiya v. State