Delhi health minister's constituency to witness tough poll battle

Unregulated constructions and inadequate infrastructure are the major issues for over one lakh residents of the Laxmi Nagar constituency

Dingy lanes, chock-a-block unsafe buildings and a teeming population jostling for space amid a crumbling infrastructure -- welcome to Delhi Health Minister A K Walia's assembly constituency Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi which is likely to witness a tough electoral battle this time.

One of the most thickly populated areas in the city, unregulated constructions and inadequate infrastructure are the major issues for over one lakh residents of the constituency.

Struggling with poor civic amenities, people in Laxmi Nagar said they have now learnt to live with these problems which have become part of their daily lives.

As if resigned to their fate, residents make the common refrain that a new government would also fail to resolve any of their problems which have become even more complex with time.

The unauthorised colonies in the constituency are a glaring example of unplanned urban growth and though the government had promised to put in place basic infrastructure for them, nothing has been done so far.

Majority of residents blamed Walia, who has been representing the constituency since 1993, for the "mess" while noting that biggest worry for them has been unsafe buildings in the area.

The area witnessed a number of building collapse incidents in the last few years, including the one in Latika park area in November 16, 2010 in which about 70 people were killed.

Though the government had promised to retrofit the unsafe buildings, little has been done to address the issue.

Residents said in case of any fire incident or building collapse, rescuers will find it difficult to carry out operation because of narrow lanes.

"If ever a fire breaks out in the area, fire tenders won't be able to enter the inner lanes as they are so narrow. I don't think a new government would be able to address these problems as things are beyond repair now," said Neetu Chawla, a resident.

Lack of parking space is another major problem facing the area. "All the cars are parked on the roadside which affects traffic flow. It is difficult for us to walk through the roads. Parking is a major problem for us" said Gautam Chopra.

Poor civic amenities like lack of proper drainage system and overflowing sewage are other major problem which are seen as health hazards.

"The choked drains behind my house overflows now and then and during the rainy season the dirty water spills out on the road. The area behind my building is always full of sewage water," said Birbal, resident of Shakarpur area.