By Neha Sethi, Nazia Jaffri and Kinley Tshering
The news of the variety of problems that plagues India’s millennium city, Gurgaon, has become almost a cliché now. But the problems still persist, and so does the complaints from various quarters.
Even as a horde of environmental issues like the depletion of ground water, increasing air pollution, lack of proper solid waste disposal and sewer system among others have done its rounds, 58 more sectors are being developed in addition to the already existing 57 sectors in Gurgaon according to the Master Plan 2021.
Several architects and urban planners have pointed that a lack of proper planning and implementation has led to the various issues plaguing Gurgaon. According to S.P Biswas, an assistant professor at Sushant School of Architecture in Gurgaon, who has conducted studies and researches on the development of Gurgaon city, the development area is eight times more than the actual area. “There is no proper infrastructure, solid waste disposal and sewer system. The natural and topographical terrain has been destroyed in piece meal,” he says.
In the early 1960s Gurgaon was considered unfit for development for want of ground water source and only a modest growth was proposed under Delhi Master Plan-1962. Predictably, after the Gurgaon boom, the water level has been reported to be declining.
According to figures compiled by the Centre for Science and Environment, the water level in the city was 42.95 m below ground level (bgl) that reached 50.67 bgl in 2006. In the intervening years, the water level has declined by 7.72 m.
Balwan Singh, a resident of Sukhinder village in Gurgaon, says that in the late 80s and early 90s the bore well had to be dug only till 50-60 ft but now it has crossed more than 500 ft below ground level.
But, officials at the Haryana Urban Development Authority deny that water table in Gurgaon has been depleting over the years. “As far as I know, the water has not gone down. It is a misconception spread by the media,” says a superintend engineer of HUDA on conditions of anonymity. “Gurgaon has a water supply of 40 million gallons a day (mgd) from the open canal system. The total under ground water demand is only 7-8 mgd, 10-15% of the total water requirement of the town.”
However, the ground situation tells another story.
BY Neha Sethi, Nazia Jaffri and Kinley Tshering
In the alleys of the adjacent villages of Gurgaon, teeming numbers of migrant workers from across different States live in tiny, dingy rooms, that can barely fit in three people at a time. They pay rents that are humungous compared to the little space they are given.
Meena, 35, a migrant worker from Bihar, lives in a small room at
“In addition, I pay another Rs. 300 as electricity bill every month. But during summers, the electricity bill goes up to Rs. 400,” Meena says.
This rent may look nominal, but it is atrocious if the space that is provided is taken into consideration. The space of the room is a little bigger than the size of a jhuggi. And for these people who have to manage with a minimal salary, every penny counts. Shelling out so much money on the rent means that they have less to save and send back home.
The development of Gurgaon has led to an upswing in the demand for domestic helps. While this has positive result of increased employment for many migrants, the expensive rents eat away a major chunk of their salary.
“Although we have jobs here, we have to pay almost more than a half of our salary for the rents,” says Maya, who works as a maid. “My husband and daughter, all of us work. Otherwise it would be hard to survive.”
The major beneficiaries however are the people who had been living in Gurgaon villages even before the new Gurgaon came up. Most of them have now built small rooms on the properties that they own and given them on rent to migrant labourers mostly from Bihar and
“In most of the villages, the migrant population is a lot more than the people who used to live in the village traditionally,” says Ravinder Kumar, a resident of Sikanderpur village in Gurgaon.
Many of the traditional residents of villages have even built as many as 300 rooms of these kinds to rent out. “Our landlord takes around Rs. 2,000 from every tenant. So he has a monthly income of around Rs. 600,000 just from the rent that he collects from us,” says Meena.
A landlord, who didn’t want to be named, defended, “Why shouldn’t we take rent from them. This is our business. And moreover, these people also earn a lot from the people living in the costly condominiums in Gurgaon.”
A resident of a condominium justifies his point. She says, “We need someone to help us with the housework. I pay my maid around Rs. 2000 just for sweeping the house and cleaning the dishes every month. And she also works in three more houses apart from mine.”
So do the labourers mind shelling out this money? Tell them to move to
By
Kinley, Nazia, Neha
Photo: Neha
Gurgaon might lack many basic civic amenities. So, how do the residents cope? Even those who have bought flats in the posh area of the city have their grievances, but a much toned-down one.
Living in a flat worth more than a fortune and having to pay extra for the parking and other basic amenities would be asking for a little too much. But the rich residents in Gurgaon would rather pay than harp.
Buying a condominium in Gurgaon can cost around a crore and sometimes the price even reaches a staggering rupees five crores. After investing so much, it is only natural to expect decent facilities like a copious park, good roads and non-stop supply of electricity and water as a part of the package. But this is a far cry from reality.
Vidhu Singh, a resident of Central Park, one of the elite condominium’s societies of Gurgaon, says, “We pay for own our maintenance charges like parking charges and the cost of diesel for running the generators. These generators supply complete power backup for our society.”
Many of the condominium societies have also hired facility managing companies to take care of the maintenance.
The estate manager of one of the facility management company who didn’t want to be named said, “The role of the government is to provide the basic infrastructure before housing colonies are setup. Since the government did not plan ahead, so now the residents are having problems.”
He further added that is where companies like his could play a role and make sure that people do not face problems. “People living in condominiums generally do not mind paying. So we offer them with services that they pay for,” he said.
These estate management companies generally offer security, power backup, proper upkeep of lawns in the common area, parking, and manage facilities like clubs and gyms, which have been built by the builder. But all these do not come cheap.
Vrinda Mehta, a resident of a condominium says, “We pay Re 1.75 a month for every square meter that we own. My maintenance bill comes to around Rs 6,000 a month since I live in a 2,500 square feet house and sometimes cost of diesel is to be paid separately.”
But not everyone seems to be complaining. Singh says she doesn’t mind paying these maintenance charges as she knows that her money is not being wasted. “I don’t think this price is too much for our safety and security. I feel safe knowing that there is a guard who will not let any stranger enter my building. And my car is also safe in the parking since I am paying for it.”
Old Delhi seems a little incomplete without the shouts of tongawallahs. With the government’s plan to put them off the road, how difficult would their future ride be.
Nazia Jafri, Neha Sethi and Kapou Malakar have the story.
JMI Condemns Gaza Assault
By Neha Sethi, Nazia Jafri and Kinley Tshering
According to the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2005-06, about 33.1 percent of
Doctor Atul Shardhana, a consultant pediatric surgeon at Kolmet hospital in
While obesity is caused due to improper diet, malnutrition is mainly caused due to insufficient food consumption. But both these diseases are ironically clubbed under the same group-malnourishment.
What many ignore is the eating habits. While the poor section do not have enough to eat, it seems the wealthier have not been eating well either.
The repercussions of obesity and malnutrition are grave on the public health as both the diseases are known to be life threatening. Obesity leads to secondary problems which are now called metabolic syndrome that includes type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular risks and cerebral risks to name a few.
While many attribute this parallel of under nutrition and obesity to
“One of the most important reasons for this is the inequality of income which exists in
Struck in this ironical situation, which disease should be given more priority as it concerns the health of two different section of the Indian population?
In fact,
like a cheaper option. It has the added advantage of being environment
friendly too. But, recent accidents which were caused due to gas
leak pose one question. How safe is CNG? Nazia Jafri, Neha Sethi and Sheeba Naaz try to
clear the air around CNG issues.
By: Nazia Jafri, Neha Sethi and Sheeba Naaz
Mohammad Salamuddin, a taxi driver who drives an Omni car, which runs on CNG says he is saving a lot of money on fuel now। “CNG is a lot better than petrol। It costs me around Rs 200 to drive around Delhi from morning till evening,” he says.
But talk to him about the latest Wagon R accident where the car, which was fitted with CNG, went up in flames and he has his own explanation. “The car went up in flames because of impact of collision, and not because of CNG. And moreover, I got the CNG kit fitted from the company itself, so it’s safe.”
Salamuddin is one of the few who know that it is important to get a CNG kit fitted in car from an authorised centre. Manjot Singh, a technician with Texla Gas Engineers, an authorised centre in Guru Nanak Nagar says most of the people running their cars on CNG face a problem because they don’t get their kits fitted from authorised centres approved by the government. “The government has around 110 authorised centres in Delhi, which have their special RFC codes. The customers should go only to these centres to get their kits fitted.” he adds.
Seeing the recent rush for CNG in cars, many companies like Hyundai have started having pre-fitted CNG kits in some of their models. Dr S K Sharma, Executive Director, Deep Hyundai, Mangolpuri, says, “We have an option of CNG in our Santro and Accent cars. It costs around Rs 60,000 more to buy a car fitted with CNG. But even if a customer is getting CNG kit fitted after buying the car from the showroom, they should make sure that the centre gives you a cash memo. You can then attach the cash memo to your car’s RC and send it to the Transport Authority. Then, a new RC is made, which makes your CNG usage legal.”
Then there are other companies like Maruti Suzuki who have come out with dual mechanism cars, which can run on petrol as well as LPG. V B Mittal, General Manager, Marketing Times, Maruti Suzuki says, “LPG is safer than CNG. The LPG cars that we sell have sensors. As soon as the sensor feels that the car is headed for a collision, the LPG connection is automatically cut off from the car to prevent any untoward incident.”
But the technicians say that LPG and CNG leak may not be the only problem because of which cars catch fire. “The other wire connections of the car might also be responsible for electrical shot circuits. If the wiring of the stereo system is loose or not proper, then it can also be dangerous.” says Manjot.
The Brahmpuri acid attacks now have a face. The sketch of the attacker has been released recently by Delhi Police. Neha Sethi, Nazia Jafri and Sumiran Preet Kaur trace the story.
Delhi’s student community demands judicial enquiry in Jamia encounter
By
Nazia Jafri and Sheeba Naaz
Encounter is not an option to tackle with problem of extremism in a civilized society, feel the organisers of Shanti (peace) march held on October 4, 2008 by Sadbhav Mission, a NGO.
Organised in collaboration with Nishant Natya Manch, another NGO, the march started from Lal Quila (Red Fort) at eight in the morning. The participants included 300 students and teachers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). Before culminating at Jamia Nagar for a solidarity meeting, the group traveled via ITO, Pragati Maidan,
Demanding a judicial enquiry on the Jamia encounter, the participants felt that certain religious communities are defamed. “We want judicial enquiry on the Jamia encounter. Unless the person is proved guilty, he should be provided legal aid,” said Vipin Tripathi, professor at physics department, IIT Delhi and the president of Sadbhav Mission.
Speaking on the fear psychosis created among the minority religious communities, he said, “There is a lot of fear among minorities. We want to change the perception against particular communities in
Sukhdeep Kaur is a Ph D student and a core member of Sadbhav Group. She feels terrorist do not belong to one particular community. “This issue is the problem of the entire society, not just Hindus or Muslim. I am in this march because I want to spread harmony.”
Another participant, Anmol Ratan is a student of Masters from
When asked why does a community get branded as terrorist? Anuj Agarwal, sub inspector, IP estate said, “We do not want to stereotype. Coincidently most of the culprits are Muslims. May be that is the reason why many think that way.”
Speaking on the recent encounter at Jamia Nagar, he said, “If we had not killed Atif Ameen, there could have been more bomb blasts. In fact there has been one encounter in the area before.” When pointed out that the victims of the previous encounter were proven innocent, Agarwal did not have a reply. He added, “If public wants a judicial probe, we don’t have any problem.”
As questions continue to be raised on the Jamia encounter by various sections of the society, the police and government still have a lot to answer.
Auto Woes
Think about Delhi autos and overcharging and misbehaviour may be the first things that come to your mind. But talk to the autowallahs and they have a different story. So, can there be a smooth ride? Neha Sethi and Nazia Jafri reports
Antim Niwas, a crematorium at Noida Sector-94 now has the technology which allows people to watch the cremation of their loved ones online. CCTV-s have been installed here to record funerals. Those who are unable to attend the funeral can even get the copy of a DVD. Here is a report by Nazia Jafri, Sheeba Naaz and Sumiran Preet Kaur
By: Nazia Jafri and Kunal MajumderPhotograph: Jaishree
The road from Escort Heart Institute towards Maharani Bagh may not be as smooth as Hema Malini’s cheeks (simile courtesy Lalu Prasad), but it is drivable. Except when you hit the stretch near the Bharat Nagar Gurudwara, New Friends Colony. The place looks, feels, and smells like an open shallow drain. This used to be a road.
Some years back Delhi Jal Board dug the road here to repair a bust sewer. Till date, neither the sewerage nor the road has been repaired.
Vinod Kumar, who owns a grocery shop in the area, claims that due to the unhygienic conditions, customers avoid coming to his shop. “The sewer line is chocked and dirty water is all around,” Kumar says.
Ashok Kumar, a bank officer, lives in the residential area nearby. “It’s been years now. No one in the government seems to bother about the situation,” he laments. Approach the government officials with the list of complaints and the blame game starts.
“We are working on the conditions of the roads but it is not our responsibility. The onus lies with the traffic police. Most of the roads are repaired but some parts are left as Delhi Jal Board has been digging them. Anyone who digs the roads is responsible for repairing them,” claims Dharamveer Singh, the local Corporator at Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
When this correspondent approached the local MLA Pervez Hashmi’s office, the MLA’s secretary, Mahavir Singh explained that the matter is caught in the tussle between Delhi Jal Board, MCD and Traffic Police. “Traffic Police has not given the permission to repair the road. Last week in a meeting with traffic police, the Additional Commissioner of Traffic Police Radheshyam has said that they will give a no objection certificate within a week”.
When contacted, ACP Traffic Police Radheshyam refused to comment.
Main players
Construction department of MCD has prepared an estimate of Rs 20 lakh for rebuilding the road. However Delhi Jal Board is not willing to part with that amount.
“We are waiting for the permission from traffic police which we will get soon. By next week we might start working on it. But the problem is that even MCD is asking for Rs 20 lakh for mending the road. The total cost of repairing can not be Rs 20 lakhs. How can we pay so much?” says Devesh Chandra Shreevastav, associate engineer, Delhi Jal Board.
MCD counters this claim. “The road can not be repaired as the entire sewer line has been chocked. Around 140-160 meter sewer line needs to be changed but Delhi Jal Board is not doing anything,” retorts Wajid Ali, junior engineer of construction department, MCD.
Ali says MCD is willing to cooperate with Jal Board. He adds, “Though the traffic police are not giving the permit to close the road for construction, we are ready to cooperate on our own risk. Why don’t they do the work at night?”
When asked about the cost involved, he said, “Delhi Jal Board is not paying us the money to repair it. If they think Rs 20 lakh is more, they should come up with an audited estimate.”
Once the police permission is given next week, all eyes will be on MCD, Delhi Jal Board and the stretch of ‘road’ near the Bharat Nagar Gurudwara.
A trouble point for commuters
By Nazia Jafri
Photo: Gragi
Imagine you have a serious heart ailment and you have to reach the Escorts (Heart Institute and Research Center) from Maharani Bagh or the Ring Road. A road of 3 kms which should not take more than 10 minutes to cover, can take upto half an hour during busy hours of the day. The reason–damaged roads, illegal parking and negligence of traffic officials. You might as well never reach the hospital alive. Such is the condition of the road leading to Escorts.
Gautam Khanna, a resident of Maharani Bagh, is vexed with the practice of illegal parking. He has put a sign of “no parking” outside his house. But who cares?
Often, he is not able to drive his car outside because lot many cars are parked along the gate of his residence.
For Hari Prakash , owner of Subhash Electricals at Maharani Bagh, it is a daily routine. “Initially I used to shout at those who parked their cars in front of my shop. I even tried complaining once but now I don’t bother about it,” he says.
Those who are responsible to solve these problems are no where to be seen. Ravinder Singh, the traffic policeman at Ashram Chowk, is not ready to accept that there are wrongly parked vehicles in the area. Despite seeing things with his own eyes he says, “That is not my area, I can’t help it. Sadak bhi to kharab hai hum kahan tak kare?” (We can’t help it when the condition of roads is poor).
Approach the officials with the list of complaints and the blame game starts.
The local corporator, Dharamveer Singh, says, “We are working on the conditions of the roads but it is not our responsibility. The onus lies with the traffic police.” He further adds: “Most of the roads are repaired but some parts are left as Delhi Jal Board has been digging the roads and has left it as it is. Anyone who digs the roads is responsible for repairing them.”
An attempt to confirm the allegation against Delhi Jal Board failed as no one answered the phone calls.
So where does the problem lie? For Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Delhi, Muktesh Chandra, it’s a multifaceted problem. “Role of civic agencies, master plan without any vision etc are among the various reasons for the mess. ”
And what about controlling the traffic in the city?
“Any new policies can only be initiated by the government. We will need stringent measures of all kinds a. If not today, then a couple of years later. But the traffic police can have no say on this as we are not the policy makers. Our duty is to catch the defaulters,” adds the ACP.
Those who are affected by these jams are least bothered. The guard at gate no. 5 of Maharani Bagh, Pramod Kushwaha, says, “Koi pakka nahi hai tow away zone ka, jab police ayegi tab hata lenge gadiyan.
Rajeev Roy, a young entrepreneur at New Friend’s Colony, gets annoyed due to long hours of traffic. But his own vehicle is parked under no parking zone. “I have some important work that’s why I am parking here. There are others who have parked here, why shouldn’t I park?” he defends.
This irresponsibility from all the shores makes these posh colonies a trouble point for commuters.
ByNazia Jafri & Gaurav
Photo: Babu
It’s hard to hold on to your money whenever you see a SALE banner staring at you from various branded stores. The sale season is on at most of the markets in Delhi. The brands not only assure you discounted prices but also claim that their customer services are second to none.
But is the service catering to the needs of the consumers? Tushar Sethi, a 16-year old bought floaters from one of the leading shoe companies, but the sole came off soon. Says an angry Sethi: “Even after umpteen complaints the company refused to exchange the product and mended it with the glue, which was really bad. Ultimately, I threw those floaters away”.
His views are echoed by Delhi based lawyer Manjula Batra: “They are befooling us by selling defective pieces under the garb of a sale. When you approach them with the complaints they don’t register it. Going to the consumer court is one of the options but it needs loads of homework by consumers.”
Faisal Majid Khan, a lawyer and Senior Legal Manager at Novus Pro Company, Gurgaon, says that one way out for consumers is that they should always check the cash slip while shopping. Moreover, they should not hesitate to initiate action against the company if there is a need for that.
In this fast paced life, when people don’t even have the time for necessary chores, going to complain is a job they keep putting off. Geeta Tamta, a call center employee from New Delhi bought a bag from a branded sale and its strap came off the very next day. She says, “It’s a hectic exercise to go for an exchange and on every trip they make some excuse or the other. I even tried to mail a complaint but got confused with the procedure and finally gave up”.
Even those who are willing to complain don’t know where to lodge it. The official web addresses of many brands do not even have a simple procedure for the complainant to complain. It is often so complicated that many just give up out of frustration.
The companies are often ready with what sound like the right excuses. Thang Goumuan, Assistant Store Manager, Adidas, Vasant Vihar branch, says “During sale, we don’t allow exchange as it is difficult to adjust discounts. We allow the customers to try, but not exchange. As for return of goods, that is not allowed even when there is no sale.”
Khan says that there are provisions under which you can approach the consumer court but the problem is that nobody puts that much effort. He further adds, “If it is mentioned on the cash memo that sold items cannot not be returned, then consumers can’t complain as they are accepting the policy of the company. But for those brands which do not mention such details, there is a scope for legal action”.
So the next time you see a 50% off SALE on any of your favorite branded shops, do not forget to read the fine print.
