How can development remain untouched in the National Capital Region of Delhi? In addition to it, what are the possible solutions suggested by the villagers to the government?

There are many villages in Delhi which have remained unnoticed. Among them, the two villages: Rani Khera and Mukundpur are far away from the fulfillment of basic amenities. The government should aim at the holistic development of villages by fostering human development and economic (material) development. As I walk on the lanes of these villages my feets are completely submerged under stinky and stagnated water. These villages face problems because of cornering the privileges only in the central city areas.  While conducting surveys we got to know some issues which have never been in the eyes of the government, and it facilitated us to understand and gauge the possible solutions given by them. Although the conduct of the survey was challenging because of communication gaps, nonetheless, I tried best and ended up accruing every challenge of the villagers. Through the revelation of such challenges, the paper shows the challenges which are being faced by Rani Khera and Mukundpur village by looking at multiple facets which include an open drainage system, water stagnation and road construction. 

The first survey unfurls the condition of Rani Khera village. Here, water stagnation is evident which causes many water-borne diseases due to which people living there face many health-related issues like typhoid, malaria, etc. Whereas the picture of Mukundpur ratifies the fact that there are no regulations on check-ups of these plastic pollution. Being non-biodegradable substances, these plastics and pollutants cause health issues to not only humans but also animals like ingestion of plastics by the cows, buffaloes, etc. During the rainy season, all these pollutants start giving a foul smell along with deteriorating the soil. The major and common problem pointed out by the villagers was that they do not have the facility of water passage which causes road accidents and traffic jams. At some places, roads are poorly constructed which obstructs the movement of villagers like children face difficulty while going to their schools.

In Mukundpur village, some elderly people pointed out the unavailability of the public parks in their village which can help them in staying healthy and fit by doing exercise in the public park. An old lady offered the solution to make available a Public Distribution System (PDS) system at doorstep delivery for the people who are in their advanced stage (above 60 years) because they have to stand up in long queues to get their food items from the PDS. Many of them were of the consensus that they are suffering a lot due to roads and open drainage systems making them further vulnerable to fall ill. If the water evacuation could take place and with the closed system of drainage, they can live healthy. The Delhi government has taken several steps to ensure the health sector, aiming to establish 500 Water ATMs, they will notice the condition of such areas and make these areas equivalent to those of developed urban areas of Delhi. The government should aim at inclusive development rather than disproportionate development. Some substantive as well as procedural interventions are required for development across all areas of Delhi.

– Atul Kumar Yadav
A student of University of Delhi (Ramjas College)