Kirti Nagar slum is a stark reminder of the hidden poverty within India's capital. Nestled in the Moti Nagar Assembly constituency, this area is a world apart from the bustling cityscape of New Delhi. Walking through these lanes, one might forget they're in the heart of the nation’s capital. Here, basic amenities like proper sanitation, good roads, and clean drinking water are luxuries most can only dream of.
The Struggle for Clean Drinking Water
Poonam Sahani, a resident of Kirti Nagar, describes the ongoing water crisis. "Although an RO is installed for drinking water, it has not been working for a month. The RO system, which is supposed to be recharged for Rs. 30 to provide water for a month, often malfunctions. In reality, we get access to water for only 10 to 20 days. Every now and then, the RO stops working. Because of this, we are forced to buy water from outside, paying Rs. 20 per water bottle every day," Poonam states.
The water issues in Kirti Nagar slum extend beyond the malfunctioning RO system. Pintu Shah, another resident, explains the broader challenges. "The water here is polluted. Earlier, RO water was available, but now that too has stopped. Water supply is rationed, divided into three areas, each receiving water for four to six hours daily. Not everyone gets enough water. In this hot weather, you can see people fighting for water in houses and on every street here," Pintu laments.
Political Promises and Reality
When asked about efforts to address these issues, Pintu expresses frustration with the local political response. "The MLA comes, gives his speeches, and then goes," he states.
In Kirti Nagar slum, every day is a battle for survival. The residents navigate through inadequate infrastructure and limited resources, where most pockets are choked with garbage and open, clogged drains. The stench and filth are a constant reminder of the neglect this area suffers.
Poonam describs the appalling sanitation conditions. "The sanitation situation is very bad here. The cleaners come every two days or so, even though they are appointed on government duty to come here everyday. They don’t come regularly. The irregular visits by cleaners leave the drainage dirty and filled with worms and waste materials. When we keep the garbage bags outside, it gets filled with worms. Even after complaining, sometimes they come, and sometimes they don’t," Poonam states.
Residents of Kirti Nagar slum face the added burden of uncollected garbage piling up in their streets. The troubling reason behind this neglect is the frequent delay in municipal workers' salaries. Jyoti Kumari, another resident, reveals, "If the employees' salaries are credited on time, then the work would be done; otherwise, they stop even the basic services like the mortar and the water supplies."
Neglect by Authorities
Residents of Kirti Nagar slum express deep frustration, pointing out that local authorities never visit their area. Their grievances, ranging from uncollected garbage to erratic water supply, remain unaddressed.
Jyoti Kumari shares her disappointment, "We complain... even after sharing video proof on WhatsApp, no one takes any action." She adds, "The manager in charge of sanitation comes for inspection, just takes videos once a week, and then goes but nothing hapens on the ground."
Chandrakala, another resident, details the persistent issues, "We are facing a water crisis, drainage issues, toilet issues, and much more. We raise complaints, but no one hears us out." She continues, "The drains have been blocked for a long time. We are living our lives in severe pain. The MLA only visits during elections to ask for votes. No one ever comes here after that to check if we are alive or dead. Now, we are dependent on our fate."
In our quest for answers, we approached the local MLA, Shiv Charan Goel, to address the pressing issues in Kirti Nagar slum. However, the response we received was disappointingly political.
When we confronted the MLA about the problems of the residents in Kirti Nagar, we got a standard political response. The MLA stated, “Nine and a half years ago, there was no water there, and people had to travel approximately one kilometre to fill water. Today, we have made water arrangements in and around their homes. Today the water facility is much better. You should ask those residents what the situation was like nine and a half years ago. Delhi has reached great heights in terms of development.”
Despite these claims, the residents paint a starkly different picture. They assert that the pipeline is often choked, the supply is inconsistent, and the quality of water is contaminated, rendering it unfit for drinking. Sanitation is another major concern for the slum dwellers. Blocked drains and accumulated waste are common sights, with sanitation workers visiting the area only sporadically.
When we spoke to the MLA about the sanitation issues, again he continued with political rhetoric and shifted the blame to the previous administration. “For 20 years, it was BJP’s MCD in this area. The BJP has made the situation worse. Now the MCD is under our Delhi government. But the Standing Committee has not been formed yet. Owing to the absence of the Standing Committee, the funds that are to be released have not yet been released. As of now, this issue falls under the nigam parshad and under the Delhi nagar nigam. If I receive any complaints, I will try my best to get them resolved.”
When confronted with the residents’ claims of having lodged multiple complaints, Goel’s response was dismissive. “We have not received any complaints regarding this,” he stated. He reiterated that without complaints, no action could be taken, urging residents to formally report their grievances.
The situation in Kirti Nagar is emblematic of broader systemic issues plaguing urban slums in Delhi. While political leaders tout development and progress, the reality on the ground often tells a tale of neglect and broken promises. The disparity between political rhetoric and the lived experiences of slum dwellers highlights the urgent need for effective governance and accountability in addressing the basic needs of the most vulnerable populations.
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