Jahangir Puri in Delhi is haunted by municipal negligence after communal riots

Nestled in North West Delhi, Jahangir Puri last made news in 2022 during communal riots. Its story now tells of overflowing sewers, standing water, encroaching highways, and growing waste mounds, portraying a depressing picture of life for those who live there. Grievances are still unresolved in spite of persistent pleas to authorities, including the Public Works Department (PWD), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and law enforcement. It seems that even prominent local figures, such as Suman Kumari and former MLA Pawan Sharma, have chosen to ignore the predicament facing the community.

Over five lakh people live in Jahangirpuri, a resettlement colony that is split into twelve blocks. The community faces a variety of difficulties.

Driver Vipin Gupta, 38, says that cleanliness is his top priority. Every day, water from our blocked drains spills into the streets. Gupta bemoaned the loop of inactivity, saying, “Despite complaints, the MCD shifts responsibility to the PWD.”

Sunil Kumar, president of RWA Sant Ravidas Nagar, expressed anger at the growing amounts of uncollected waste, mirroring Gupta’s comments. There’s no denying the MCD’s disregard. There are health dangers due to the stink permeating the air. It is essential to act immediately,” Kumar said.

Block H resident Deepak Kumar Sonkar expressed worries about law enforcement shortcomings, pointing to several instances of cell phone theft. “Criminals feel more confident when there are no police around. To stop the growing incidence of crime, more patrols is essential, Sonkar said.

The community’s situation is also made worse by the political squabbles between the MCD council member and MLA. In Ward No. 16, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Pawan Sharma is in charge of general governance, while BJP representative Suman Kumar is in charge of sanitation activities. This ideological conflict often leads to bureaucratic impasse, which impedes advancement.

The need of joint action is highlighted by Jahangir Puri’s increasingly strident call for help. It is crucial that the government puts its residents’ welfare first and respects their right to a safe and clean environment. Concerned folks argue that now is the moment to take action.

“The BJP councilor and the AAp MLA keep pointing fingers.”

In an interview with Anup Kumar Verma, Gahan Yadav, the president of RWA Jahangir Puri, outlines the difficulties facing the region and urges action.

Which problems has the region been having?

The region has been dealing with a number of problems, from law and order to cleanliness. The MCD and PWD are not doing their part to keep the drains clean, and there is no adequate drainage system in place. In actuality, both departments criticize one another. Garbage also continues to accumulate on the roadways. Regarding law and order, I have seen cell phone stealing that occurs throughout the day.

To what extent is the area’s sewage problem an issue?

It isn’t cleaned on a regular basis until someone complains. In different Cleaning is delayed by the DJB until the sewers overflow. On the plus side, however, is that they immediately address complaints the same day that they are made.

What action have you done to address issues?

My first course of action in any such situation is to phone the appropriate agency or file a complaint. For instance, I contact the MCD or PWD when there are drainage problems or waste buildup. I also make sure to report any crimes in the vicinity to the local police station. I also plan to raise and discuss concerns during our regular meetings with the local councilor person MLA.

Who, in your opinion, is in charge of the issue?

No one single thing is at fault. MCD, the PWD, and municipal politicians bear some of the blame for their neglect of their responsibilities. I have no qualms with holding regular folks responsible as well. Living in Ward No. 16, I think political ideology is also a factor. Suman Kumari, a councillor, is a member of the BJP, whilst Pawan Sharma, an MLA, is from the AAP. Their divergent philosophies make it easy for them to assign blame, which hurts the community.