Did you reach in boats: John Kerry to students

Having been stuck in a rain-related traffic jam for the second time, US secretary of state John Kerry on Wednesday jokingly asked IIT-Delhi students if they had come to the campus on boats.

“I don’t know if you came in boats or amphibious vehicles of some kind ... But I salute you,” said a smiling Mr Kerry to a packed audience after his carcade was delayed in Delhi traffic snarls as heavy rains led to waterlogging on roads.

“You guys deserve an award for being able to get here today,” said Mr Kerry who had to cancel his trip to three religious sites in the old city after incessant rains in the national capital. Mr Kerry was late for the event at the IIT by 40 minutes as his carcade waded through the waterlogged roads from his hotel, otherwise a 15-minute ride. On Monday, on his way to a hotel from the airport, the US Secretary of State had been reportedly stuck for almost an hour in traffic due to waterlogged roads.

Mr Kerry was supposed to visit the historic Sisganj Gurudwara, Gaurishankar Temple and the iconic Jama Masjid in the national capital after his IIT event, but that programme was at first postponed and eventually cancelled apparently due to fears of massive traffic jams. According to news agency reports, the underpass near the Leela Palace Hotel — where the dignitary was staying — was heavily flooded, leading to a massive traffic jam.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken blamed the AAP government and BJP-led MCDs for the waterlogging and alleged that desilting of drains were not finished by the May 15 deadline.

In some places vehicles were stuck on roads and underpasses due to breakdown. A few buses broke down in the flooded Jakhira underpass stranding dozens of passengers who were later taken out as water starting reaching up to the vehicle’s seats.

Commuters also had a tough time due to traffic spillover caused by VIP movements on certain roads. As per Safdarjung observatory reading, the city received 63.1 mm rainfall while the Palam observatory recorded 55.6 mm rains. With MeT department forecasting rains on tomorrow as well, traffic woes are feared to continue.