Decades of Neglect: Delhi's Sadar Bazar Traders Battle Chronic Waterlogging
In the heart of Old Delhi's Sadar Bazar, one of India's largest wholesale markets, shopkeepers and workers wade through knee-deep water every monsoon season. Despite repeated appeals to authorities, the area lacks adequate stormwater drains, leaving thousands of businesses vulnerable to flooding.
Anil Kumar, a shop employee in his 30s, was seen on Tuesday tirelessly throwing water out of a souvenir shop, surrounded by photo frames and artefacts. 'I have been working here for 20 years, and every time it rains, it floods. This hasn't changed in decades,' he said. Outside, workers carried heavy packages on their heads and backs, or loaded cycle rickshaws, to move goods to safer locations.
A few metres away, a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official and a worker struggled to start a tractor-mounted pump to suck water from the area. The official explained that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has a permanent pump connected to the drains, but on Tuesday, the control room asked them to speed up the process due to severe waterlogging. Regarding blocked drains, he said, 'The MCD does proper cleaning early in the morning. But the waste from the nearby factories clogs the drains.'
Ajay Bajaj, Senior Advisor to the Confederation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association, expressed frustration: 'This place is decades old. We help the government with our huge turnovers. And what do we get in return? Nothing.' He claimed that a lack of stormwater drains is the root cause of the problem. 'How is it so hard to get drains across the area? We've been asking for this basic facility for years. But no one pays heed,' he said.
Narender Kumar, 61, who runs a cargo unit on Qutab Road, explained why that stretch is especially affected: 'This is a low-lying area compared to the rest of the bazaar. When it rains, water accumulates here due to lack of proper drains.'
As the sun set, the MCD's tractor finally came to life after a coordinated effort by officials and traders. The sound of the pump sucking out water brought a sigh of relief, but traders knew it was temporary—until the next rain. Sadar Bazar, known for souvenirs, glassware, furniture, and dry fruits, remains a waterlogging hotspot every monsoon, causing heavy losses to shop owners.
