India, July 2 -- Even after the official onset of the monsoon in Delhi on Sunday, the public works department (PWD) is yet to complete desilting of drains along major city roads-a critical pre-monsoon exercise meant to prevent urban flooding and waterlogging. As per the PWD's latest progress report dated June 30, only 83.5% of the desilting target has been achieved, with 346km of the 2,171km drain network still uncleared.

The PWD, responsible for the capital's 1,403km arterial road network, had originally set a deadline of May 31 to complete desilting. This was later extended twice-first to June 15, and finally to June 30. Despite the extensions, most of the 17 road divisions have missed all deadlines, with only the South West Road-2 div...