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by Rajen Kumar
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Okhla today is crippled by inadequate Civic Amenities
Dec 2008
The Okhla industrial area, phase I and Phase II is the country's largest industrial area. As envisioned by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, this area was conceived to be at the vanguard of industrialization and development.
Thus in keeping with his vision, 60 years after Independence, the Okhla Industrial Area should have been enjoying the best infrastructure and civic amenities. However, sadly though, this area which houses hundreds of Small and Medium Enterprises, producing world class products, yet it has been the victim of sheer neglect.
The civic and infrastructural amenities in the area are far from satisfactory.
Okhla faces acute shortage of power and water. These problems have escalated the woes of the industrialists there. Entrepreneurial spirit and efficiency are the main casualties of the apathy of the authorities.
There is perhaps no end to the problems of the industrialists in Okhla. The power shortage remains the single most harrowing issue. Many units fail to function effectively for lack of power. Many a time the entrepreneurs and workers are left to fend for themselves.
Roads crying for repair
Most of the roads in Okhla are in bad shape and the back lanes are unkempt. Road conditions are bad, overflowing sewage is a common sight and the back lanes are not cleaned for months. In the past few years, sanitary conditions have worsened. Roads haven't been repaired for years.
Industrial unit owners allege that the government and civic agencies have adopted an apathetic attitude towards the area while the owners are left to suffer.
Encroachers have hijacked the industrial area
Illegal encroachments remain one of the most harrowing problems of the area.
The dilapidated roads bear the look of slums with the 'jhuggi jhopri' population occupying the sides of the roads.
The so called encroachers are not deterred by any fear of eviction as they have the so called political hand with them.
Politicians turn a blind eye to the escalating road mess and the rampant 'jhuggi jhopri' occupation because they are their favourite vote banks.
Criminals find it easy in Okhla
Situations cannot be worse in Okhla owing to a rise in criminal activities. It may be the most revered and talked about industrial area in town today, but when it comes to the crime front the state of the area is disturbing.
Spread into a vast area running into many acres, Okhla is divided into three parts viz. Phase I, II and III. Incidentally it is Phase I area adjacent to the hilly green belt that has been witnessing regular incidents of chain snatching and eve teasing. This has resulted in a growing sense of insecurity amongst daily visitors.
Criminals and unscrupulous elements make ample usage of the lonely alleyways and vast open spaces for giving shape to their evil misdeeds. Added to this, dysfunctional street lights too help them in going unnoticed.
Despite regular reporting of cases the police authorities are turning a blind eye towards the problem. Most feel it is high time and the police and the authorities need to play a pivotal role to put an end to the prevailing turbulence in the area.
1 Comments >>
kumar
18 Feb 2011 (06:41:27)
” The pathetic state of public toilets was highlighted by Shahana Sheikh, a final year student of economics at the Lady Sri Ram (LSR) College, who undertook a tour of slums and the outskirts of Delhi from May to July 2008.”
” “A man has options but a woman can’t urinate in the open as that is deemed ‘uncultured’. The issue of public toilets affects women the most, especially poor women, ” Sheikh had said. ”
PLEASE SEE THE “S” BLOCK OF OKHLA INDUSTRIAL AREA PHASE II, NEW DELHI WHERE THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF SANJAY COLONY SLUM HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO USE 45 FT ROAD (INFRONT OF FACTORIES ) AS OPEN TOILET.
WITH THE HELP OF JAPANESE AID MCD HAS BUILD TOILET IN THE MIDDLE OF 45 FT ROAD IN THE “S” BLOCK OF OKHLA INDUSTRIAL AREA PHASE II NEW DELHI.NEEDLESS TO MENTION THE RIGHT OF WAY OF FACTORIES OF “S” BLOCK IS GIVEN LEAST IMPORTANCE BY MCD / DELHI GOVT.
Kumar
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