Three civic agencies, multiple problems

Each local body has unique set of problems; some have surplus cash, others have not seen change for years

After the split of the MCD into three municipalities — North, South and East — the corporation polls next month will see a range of issues. Each local body has a unique set of problems and complaints, including sanitation and roads.

While south Delhi is marred with problems like lack of parking space, bad drains and illegal constructions, north Delhi will have a mix of issues like bad roads, overflowing sewers, garbage accumulation and unauthorised colonies.

Unlike south and north Delhi municipalities, East Delhi Municipal Corporation has to cope with several unauthorised colonies and migrant population. The problems in east Delhi are in basic infrastructure.

“Last year, the MCD collected a total of Rs 1,100 crore while East Delhi Municipal corporation, comprising two zones — Shahdara (north) and Shahdara (south) — collected Rs 22 crore,” said mayor Rajni Abbi.

After the split of MCD, one or two corporations will flourish and thrive, whereas there will be much lesser income for the remaining corporations, mainly East Delhi Municipal Corporation. “This will affect development,” said Abbi.

Down south

South Delhi Municipal Corporation, the richest civic body after trifurcation with 104 municipal wards, with mostly upscale plotted areas under its jurisdiction, will be the best organised corporation.

“Most of the areas are developed. During the Commonwealth Games, major infrastructure projects were planned. The biggest advantage is that the corporation will not face any financial problems. This will enable it to take up more development projects,” said Rakesh Gupta, a businessman and resident of Kalkaji.

The south Delhi civic body has several farmhouses and upscale markets, and the focus this time is on improving the parking situation.

“Despite over 15 parking projects, just two have been made functional so far,” said Deepak Sharma, a businessman in Sarojini Nagar market. He said the new corporation will also have to focus on drainage and illegal constructions in the area.

Up north

North Delhi Municipal Corporation constitutes rural areas like Narela, Mundka, Mangolpuri, Sultanpuri, the guesthouse and hotel hub of Karol Bagh, the Walled City and colonies in Model Town, Rohini and Pitampura.

With 104 municipal wards, the problems are aplenty.

As the municipality cannot take up any development project in rural areas, sanitation and roads are the prime focus.

“Political parties will have to come up with a mix of campaign issues to woo voters in these area,” said Ranjit Daggar of Sultanpuri.

In Old Delhi and middle-class clusters in Model Town, Rohini and Pitampura, people have different expectations.

“In Old Delhi, construction of any kind is restricted, leading to corruption. There are parking problems as well and sanitation is a major issue here,” said Sarabjit Singh, a resident of Daryaganj.

Eastern front

East Delhi Municipal Corporation with 68 wards has identical problems with its counterpart in the north. The corporation, which earns less revenue every year, will be unable to carry out non-planned development projects due to cash crunch.

“East Delhi, where revenue generation is less and expenditure more as the area is densely populated due to unauthorised development, may leave people to their fate.

There are high chances that they would be left out of any developmental activities,” said the mayor.

The corporation has several unauthorised colonies and migrants from Bihar. The problem here is bad infrastructure.

“The area has seen no improvement in the last decade. We are still waiting for good facilities. The corporation says it cannot improve the area as it is part of a larger unauthorised colony. But why did the government allowed land mafias to build such colonies in the first place,” said Ankur Mehta, a resident of Shakarpur.