Delhi PWD plans revamp of ITO pump house as part of monsoon preparedness

New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) The PWD is planning to take upgradation work of the ITO pump house, which caters to several areas around the area, officials said on Monday. The ITO pump house is responsible for areas along the Vikas Marg, near Supreme Court metro station, and Tilak Bridge underpass, all of which remain on the watchlist of waterlogging hotspots for the Public Works Department (PWD). "We plan to install an all-weather sub station at ITO pump house, so that the power supply to the pumping systems remains uninterrupted even during heavy rains and winds. Automatic digital alarm systems will also be installed," a senior PWD official said. As part of monsoon preparation, last year, the PWD remodelled drain number 5, which runs from Azad Bhawan to the IP Estate area. This area, which has several government offices, connected to the ITO pumping station having four permanent pumps. According to officials, conventionally oil cooled transformers were being used for electrical sub-station but in this case the systems have been changed. At the cost of Rs 1.3 crore the revamp work will be carried out which has to be completed in three months time. "However due to presence of oil for cooling of transformers, an inherent fire risk is involved in the use of oil cooled transformers. After repeated fire accidents due to burning of oil in those transformers, rules have been amended to provide for use of only dry type transformers," the tender states. For the past few years ITO and Ring Road stretch near Indraprastha have been witnessing repeated waterlogging episodes. To further strengthen its response to flooding in low-lying areas, the PWD has increased the number of permanent pump houses equipped with automatic pumps. In 2025, a total of 157 pump houses existed, which have been increased to 167, and the number of pumps has been increased from 735 to 754. The Delhi government identified 169 locations prone to waterlogging in 2025. The officials said 448 waterlogging hotspots have been mapped based on traffic police data from 2023, 2024 and 2025, and are being monitored closely. PTI SSM NB