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Analysis

'I am No Foreign Diplomat, Will Local Authorities Listen?': An Ordinary Citizen's Plea in Photos

Daman Singh
Jun 22, 2024

urban

'Since August 2023, I have repeatedly requested the local authorities to repair and maintain the pavements.'

A stretch of Vasant Kunj. Photo: Daman Singh.

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I am a senior citizen staying in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, in a flat owned by my father, Dr Manmohan Singh.

I frequently walk down from B-7 to the B-10 market via Sector B Road and Maharishi Mahavir Marg. The pavements are in an atrocious state. The kerb is broken in many places. Tiles are loose or missing in many places. There are massive pipes, loose electric cables, and malba in many places. There is garbage and cow dung all along the way. The conditions are even worse when it rains.

These pavements are unsafe as well as insanitary.

Since August 2023, I have repeatedly requested the local authorities to repair and maintain the pavements.

I took this up with my RWA, which took it up with the RWA Federation. Nothing happened.

I made over a dozen complaints on MCD-311. Nothing happened.

I wrote to the Municipal Commissioner. Nothing happened.

I met the deputy mayor. Nothing happened.

I wrote to the mayor. Nothing happened.

I met the Divisional Commissioner. Nothing happened.

I wrote to my MLA. Nothing happened.

I wrote to my MP. Nothing happened.

I wrote to the CM. Nothing happened.

Now there is a new issue. Over the last few weeks, the pipes under the two roads have been replaced. The old pipes have been dumped on the pavements. In the process, these have been damaged further. And there is hardly any space left for people to walk. The roads have not yet been re-paved. The monsoon will arrive in about two weeks. I expect that the entire stretch will turn into a swamp.

The article ‘No More Nice Words’: In Video, Danish Ambassador Decries Trash Outside Delhi Embassy, which was published in The Wire on May 5, 2024, is very inspiring

However, I am not a foreign diplomat.

What will it take for the local authorities to act on the request of an ordinary citizen?