Delhi elections: With Delhi’s elections just weeks away, political parties are racing to court key voter groups with promises of targeted welfare schemes. From traders to auto drivers, every community seems to be a focus— except one.
Delhi’s 12 Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved constituencies have been glaringly overlooked in this election frenzy. Despite being an integral part of the capital’s electoral map, these constituencies remain mired in systemic neglect, facing chronic issues that successive governments have failed to address.
From water scarcity to rising crime and crumbling infrastructure, the challenges in these constituencies paint a stark contrast to the attention lavished on more affluent areas. For residents here, promises of development feel distant, leaving them to grapple with daily hardships largely on their own.
The SC-reserved constituencies in Delhi include Kondli, Ambedkar Nagar, Deoli, Bawana, Sultanpur Majra, Mangolpuri, Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Madipur, Trilokpuri, Seemapuri, and Gokalpur.
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Kondli: Struggling in the shadow of conflict
Spanning a vast area in East Delhi, Kondli is a reserved constituency that has largely remained under the radar. The constituency, overlooking the towering Ghazipur landfill, encompasses several localities and wards. Situated at the border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, it is home to a significant Purvanchali population and serves as a transit point for those moving between the state and the national capital.
In demographic terms, over 30% of Kondli’s voters belong to SC com munities, with the remainder com prising upper-caste groups and people of other faiths. The stark divide between the privileged and the underprivileged is glaring, particularly in areas like Kondli’s Harijan Basti, where the view of the Ghazipur landfill looms over the residents’ lives like a constant reminder of neglect.
Living with the landfill
For over a thousand residents of Harijan Basti, life near the Ghazipur landfill has become a daily battle for survival. The fumes from the massive garbage mound, especially during summer and monsoons, cause widespread illnesses.
“Life is extremely difficult here. The landfill has resulted in a lot of diseases for everyone. Now, in winter, it’s not as bad since the fumes are less noticeable. But during the summers, it’s unbearable,” said Sanjay Kumar, 26, who moved to the area from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, six years ago.
In addition to the health crisis caused by the landfill, water scarcity remains a perennial issue. Residents struggle to secure water, particularly in the summer when pipelines dry up.
“Right now, we get water twice a day for two hours — once in the morning and once in the evening. But in summer, it becomes much worse, and we are forced to buy water drums from grocery stores,” Kumar explained.
The daily water struggle
The situation worsened after the last monsoon rains, which left the streets in disrepair. This has made it nearly impossible for Delhi Jal Board (DJB) tankers to navigate the narrow alleys leading to areas like Mullah Colony.
“The tankers ask us to walk to the main road because they can’t come inside. So, we carry drums, buckets, and bottles to the main road. It’s exhausting, especially for older res idents,” said Mantosh Singh, 29.
This logistical issue has given rise to an alternative, albeit costly, solution. Private water plants and grocery stores sell water drums, but at inflated prices.
“We sell each drum for around Rs 20. The grocery stores buy from us and then resell at a higher price,” said Sanjay, who operates one such private water plant using a submersible motor.
However, even residents with submersible pumps face challenges.
“We have a pump, but the water is often dirty, just like the DJB supply. At least our filtration system helps,” said Adil, another resident.
The price of survival
For the residents of Kondli, life is defined by their proximity to the landfill and their constant struggle for basic amenities like clean water. While private initiatives offer some relief, they come at a cost that many can barely afford. The constituency’s systemic neglect starkly contrasts with the political promises made during election campaigns, leaving residents with little hope for meaningful change.
Gokalpur: Trapped between industry and indifference
Amid the bustling markets of Gokalpur, the relentless movement of vehicles—both heavy and light is overshadowed by a pervasive hygiene crisis. The constituency, home to over 34% SC residents, suffers from poor upkeep, neglected infrastructure, and a general disregard for basic living conditions.
Across Gokalpur, broken and uncovered drains filled with stagnant, filthy water are a common sight. According to locals, these drains are never cleaned, com pounding the area’s sanitation issues.
“We told our MLA, Surendra Kumar from the Aam Aadmi Party, to clean the drains and fix them, but nothing ever happened. No matter how many people approach him about the infrastructure, we never get a response. Even the roads are in terrible condition,” said Rajkumar Thakur, 56, a long-time resident.
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A village plagued by illegal factories
The dire state of Gokalpur’s infra structure is further exacerbated by the rampant presence of illegal metalworks factories in residential areas. These factories, which produce items like bolts and screws, release industrial effluents directly into the drains, polluting the streets and worsening the already unhygienic environment.
“The wastewater they release is always grey and remains in the drains for days, making it extremely difficult to remove. Most of the drain system has been clogged by the waste from these factories,” said Adnan Qureshi, another resident.
The unchecked operations of these factories have made daily life almost unbearable for Gokalpur’s residents. Beyond the visual and olfactory blight of untreated waste water, the pollution poses serious health risks to the community. Despite repeated pleas to address these issues, the lack of action has left residents feeling abandoned and disillusioned.
Karol Bagh: Scarce water and broken promises
The Central district constituency of Karol Bagh faces persistent issues of sewage mismanagement and water scarcity. With nearly 25% of voters belonging to the SC community, residents of the area report significant neglect by authorities.
In Bapa Nagar, where incumbent MLA Vishesh Ravi resides, life is a daily struggle marked by inadequate water supply and failing sewage systems.
“The DJB does not want to hear the end of our story. We have tried contacting them on multiple occasions, but there has been no development,” said Mohammed Ahsan Ansari, a 29-year-old resident.
On January 11, frustrated residents took to the streets to protest against Ravi, demanding clean and timely water. However, no action has been taken so far.
“We have not received anything yet,” Ansari added.
The daily water struggle
According to locals, the situation is marginally better in winter due to reduced demand.
“During summer, we often go two or three days without water. We buy water from shops for Rs 20 a drum. Honestly, considering how dirty the water is, it makes no sense to use it without a filtration system. It’s better to buy water from grocery stores,” said Chandrika, a resident.
Households in Bapa Nagar rely heavily on Rs 20 drums to meet their daily needs, from drinking to washing clothes and bathing. While some residents previously extend ed a water line from a local temple’s booster pump, the arrangement was discontinued after a few months, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Roads falling apart
The poor condition of roads adds to residents’ woes.
“These roads were built fairly recently. It’s been barely a year, and they’re already falling apart,” said Narottam Kumar, another resident.
Despite living in the locality, MLA Ravi is accused of ignoring its problems.
“He barely visits. Even during his campaign, he started from the main road and didn’t step into the society,” Kumar said.
Karol Bagh’s neighbouring constituency, Patel Nagar, faces similar challenges. In Anand Parbat, residents report ongoing struggles with water scarcity, sewage, and crumbling infrastructure, reflecting a wider pattern of neglect.
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Bawana: Choking on pollution and battling crime
The only predominantly industrial area among Delhi’s reserved constituencies, Bawana is a paradox of industry and rurality. Home to a significant Scheduled Caste (SC) population—26% of its voters—the constituency struggles with severe pollution and the challenges of a crime-infested environment.
Bawana’s industrial operations contribute to its year-round cycle of smoke and pollution.
Consistently ranked among Delhi’s most polluted localities, the area frequently records Air Quality Index (AQI) levels between 350 and 400. These hazardous conditions have significantly impacted residents’ health, particularly children, who are more vulnerable to respiratory and immunity-related illness es.
“Prolonged exposure to the pollution here made my son sick for months. He’s fine now, but no one is addressing the scale of pollution in this area. The industries are our livelihood, but there’s no regulation inside the factories, said Rashmika Devi, a 27-year old resident.
A crime heaven
Bawana and other SC-reserved constituencies have also gained notoriety as hotspots for crime in the national capital. From drug peddling to snatching, the spectrum of criminal activity in these areas creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
“People here have stopped going out after eight in the evening with valuables, including phones, because of the constant fear of being robbed. Even if someone isn’t robbed out right, the threat of violence leaves people wary of their every step,” said Jugal Kishore Dabas, a resident of Deoli, another SC constituency.
The situation is not isolated to Bawana. On January 1, three minors allegedly killed a man in Bapa Nagar, Karol Bagh constituency. Drug availability, including sub stances like crack and glue, has also become alarmingly common, exacerbating the challenges faced by these communities.
Political indifference
Despite these pressing issues, there is little evidence of action from the administration or political parties. While the BJP is attempting to make inroads in reserved constituencies and areas with significant SC populations—such as Rajender Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Adarsh Nagar, Shahdara, Tughlaqabad, and Bijwasan—there remains a pervasive sense of neglect.
For the residents of Bawana, the daily challenges of pollution, crime, and political indifference make survival a constant struggle, with little hope for relief in sight.