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Delhi Polls: Voters in Patparganj demand cleaner water and better roads

Published by
Kushan Niyogi

Delhi Polls: Spanning across multiple wards in East Delhi, the Assembly Constituency of Patparganj is the defining battleground for most political parties across the national capital. To put matters into perspective, the constituency, just beyond the banks of the Yamuna River, has hosted a wide array of politicians representing it at the Legislative Assembly.

The constituency comprises 22% Uttarakhandis, 15% Purvanchalis, 15% Brahmins, 12% Punjabis, 9% Muslims, 8% Vaishyas, 7% Gujjars, and 7% Scheduled Castes.

Most residents belong to the middle or upper-middle class, many of whom are aspirational. Their voting tendencies often reflect their aspirations.

Over the years, Patparganj has been a focal point in various election campaigns. It is widely believed that success in Patparganj can determine the outcome of the entire election.

Since 1993, the trend has held, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing the seat until 2020, when former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia emerged victorious.

For the 2025 elections, Sisodia has passed the baton to debutante Awadh Ojha from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and is now contesting from the Jangpura Assembly seat.

The Congress has fielded former state chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar, while the BJP has once again given the ticket to Ravinder Singh Negi, who nearly defeated Sisodia in the last Assembly elections.

Purvanchalis, Uttarakhandis, and Punjabis play a pivotal role in shaping the election results in Patparganj. Similar to the rest of Delhi, the constituency is home to several unauthorised colonies and jhuggi-jhopdi clusters, which significantly influence the electoral outcome.

Despite their pivotal role in electing governments, the lives of these residents remain largely unchanged, with issues like lack of clean water, poor roads, and inadequate infrastructure persisting.

The Nehru Camp slum cluster, located near Patparganj village, spans a few hectares and is home to 600 families. It has become a key battleground for political parties. Despite decades of promises, residents continue to face chronic neglect, with inadequate electricity, water supply, and basic amenities. The 2023 demolition drives disproportionately impacted slum clusters, leaving many residents fearing the loss of their homes.

Water supply remains erratic and insufficient. “We receive water for only two hours in the morning,” said Rakesh Gahrwal, a resident of Nehru Camp.

Electricity remains another pressing issue. Mohammed Ali, a resident of a slum cluster near Shashi Garden, shared, “We are prohibited from using power on the second and third floors. Politicians promise solutions, but nothing changes.” Infrastructure projects, such as street paving, are viewed as misplaced priorities.

Residents have voiced their frustration over the lack of meaningful improvements in their locality. Nirmal, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase-2, pointed out that funds were being directed toward unnecessary constructions while critical issues like water and electricity were being ignored. He also noted the deteriorating quality of water, with pipes frequently contaminated by nearby drains.

The situation is no better in more affluent, upper-middle-class areas. From the Mayur Vihar entry point to Shashi Garden, residents face persistent traffic jams throughout the day, regardless of the time.

Ravinder Dhama, another resident, highlighted that traffic jams persist throughout the day, and while the solution seems simple, no action has been taken. He explained that the erratic movement of e-rickshaws in the area has worsened the situation. Dhama suggested that the government either ban e-rickshaws or regulate their movement to ease traffic and improve transit.

Both affluent areas and slum clusters are demanding development. Broken roads, frequent electricity fluctuations, and a lack of clean, reliable drinking water have turned life in the constituency into a struggle for dignity and survival.

IP Extension, in particular, has been neglected by the authorities. Despite being home to several housing societies and residential complexes, the roads remain broken for long periods, leading to significant dust pollution, which is a growing concern for families in the area. For example, outside the Delhi Jal Board’s Jal Suvidha Kendra, the roads have been in poor condition for years, with no politician stepping forward to address the issue.

The poor road conditions make it difficult for us to deliver water. Potholes and constant dust complicate the process. Thankfully, we get fewer calls in winter,” said Ramvir Singh, a DJB driver.

Similarly, outside the local government school for boys, persistent dust storms make the area unbearable. During summer, the dry dust worsens air quality, becoming a health hazard.

“My child has asthma, and living here worsens his condition. Even in winter, the air quality is bad, but in summer, it’s unfit for anyone to breathe,” said resident Ruchika Tandon.

These issues have only worsened, with no action from the government, even as elections approach. The key concern remains the lack of a proper sewage system.

Much like the rest of Delhi, Patparganj continues to rely on a sewage system that has not been overhauled in almost three decades, despite a population boom. This has led to multiple open drains, a sewage system that mixes with the water supply, and frequent overflows.

Also Read: Delhi polls: Let’s meet Capital’s few Bengali, Malayalam-speaking MLAs

“When the monsoon hits, everything overflows. Surprisingly, it’s not rainwater causing the waterlogging, but sewage, which makes life unbearable. The stench is so strong, it can be smelled from miles away,” said Mahinder Singh, a resident of Mayur Vihar.

While many affluent residents have avoided the worst of the water pollution by disconnecting from DJB supplies, poor residents and those in slum clusters can’t afford to use submersible pumps for groundwater.

“We rely on DJB water, but it’s unbearable. The water is often brackish, smells like sewage, or has strange colours. Clean water is a rare occurrence,” said Rashmi Devi, a resident of Peerwali Gali near Patparganj village.

Despite these issues persisting for nearly three decades, they continue to fuel unrest among Patparganj voters. With Delhi set to vote on February 5, it remains uncertain whether these long-standing problems will finally be addressed.

Kushan Niyogi

Published by
Kushan Niyogi

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