Choked, filthy and overflowing drains ruling BJP's litmus test

The 10-year stint of BJP in MCD has left residents complaining about choked, overflowing drains even in upscale localities like Defence Colony and Nehru Place. While sitting councillors shift the blame on the Delhi government, residents and market associations claimed that the civic bodies don't take the issue of cleaning drains seriously. However, it is going to be a crucial electoral issue in the upcoming civic polls.

The three municipal corporations —North, South, and East —go to polls on April 23.

All the drains on roads, less than 60 feet, fall under the jurisdiction of the civic bodies, while the rest fall under the Delhi government's Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Every monsoon it is the same story, said Rajat Prakash, a resident of Greater Kailash-1.

"The stormwater drains overflow with waste water overflowing onto the streets. This is a perennial problem, with residents sending complaints to the zonal office. The civic officials tell us that it is the bigger drains that are choked and get mixed with the stormwater drains, thus resulting in overflowing of waste water. Even if we agree with them, there is no solution to this perennial problem," said Prakash.

Another resident of Kailash Colony, Sushma Malhotra, said the stench emanating from the drains even corrodes the air-conditioners.

"It is really difficult for those living on the ground floor, as the drains are just behind the wall and the stench from the drains becomes unbearable during the rains," said Malhotra.

However, officials in the civic bodies say that desilting of drains is taken up routinely while there is no set budget estimate for the work.

"Drains are cleaned on a daily basis. However, since the colony drains are attached to the above 60-feet drains, if the latter is choked, it will cause the small drains to overflow," said a senior officer from the South Corporation.

South Corporation mayor, Shyam Sharma blaming the DJB said, "All the above 60-feet drains were taken over by the Delhi government few years ago. The big nallahs are not cleaned routinely, which is why people in residential areas have to suffer. We had written numerous requests to the DJB before every monsoon to take up the work, but they never prepare for the same. The DJB must clean the nallahs three to four times a year."

Defence Colony flyover market a mess

This popular market place has over the years become a symbol of overflowing drains and dirty streets emanating unbreachable stench. All thanks to government bodies passing the buck to one another. This 42-year-old market has been struggling with various civic issues due to a years-long tussle between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).

While the DDA say that it has handed over the market to the SDMC, the latter denies the claim. "The area under defence colony flyover on Jangpura side as well as of the main market has not been handed over to the corporation, as per records available in the office," stated an RTI response filed by Harvinder Singh, president, Defence Colony (Flyover Market) Residents Association.

"From the response we have got from the Corporation, nobody owns this place. Then why the candidates of every party parties come to ask for votes when MCD election takes place?" said Singh.

On February 7, the SDMC had sealed two eateries — Hongkong Express and Man vs Food — in the area for not having proper drainage systems. "Oily water used to flow out of these eateries due to lack of proper drainage system. Several incidents of two-wheelers accidents — due to the overflowing greasy water — have also been reported in the area," a senior SDMC official said.

"We don't know how long our restaurant will be shut. It's not our responsibility to construct drainage systems. MCD should do that," said the owner of Man vs Food which is still closed whereas Hongkong Express was reopened on Thursday. On being inquired about the issue, the incumbent Congress councillor Abhishek Dutt said, "I don't know about the issue, as sealing of shops is not my responsibility."

While people are looking for change, they are also unsure of whom to go for this time since sitting BJP councillors have been denied tickets by the party and in the rejig of wards, many councillors have lost their constituencies.

"Dutt is not interested in the constituency anymore as he cannot contest from here again. This has become a woman's seat now. Even during his tenure, he was not seen in the area. The MCD has become a defunct body over the years," said Sushil Verma, a resident of Defence Colony.