Approved Slums of Delhi

Approved Slums of Delhi

 Though these ‘unauthorized approved colonies’ are in Delhi, unlike DDA’S well-planned colonies, they have  their own world; no master plan is applicable; no SC or NGT rulings matter

By Mukesh Sharma

With over 895 unauthorized colonies scattered through the length and breadth of this sprawling Delhi where DDA/MCD rules seldom matter, and the proud owners of so-called residential structures ranging from 25 sq yds to 250 sq yds erected in zigzag dingy lanes with varying width from 4ft to 15ft., are approved slums in Delhi; and the proud house owners are the slum lords.

Reasons for growth

Though a few colonies are as old as 40-50 years, the most of colonies have mushroomed in the last 15-20 years. The reason of the growth of such colonies is steeped in corruption. As per available datas, there were approx. 209  villages in Delhi. Then authorities concerned handed over the adjoining lands for agriculture purpose to villagers centuries ago. With the course of time, these farmers stopped cultivation. Furthermore, such lands were acquired by DDA for planned residential colonies in order to meet the demand of ever increasing population. However, some lands couldn’t be developed for a long time for the reasons best known to the authorities. These abandoned parts of land were re-sold by the land owners illegally. Later the land which were not acquired, were also sold out by the paper owners. Furthermore, woken up after decades, the authorities concerned could not remove such unauthorized constructions for political and other reasons. Such colonies fall under the category of PRIVATE COLONIES.

Unique features

Though the most of such colonies are unauthorized, some 40-50 years old colonies have been surprisingly,  re-categorized with the well-coined nomenclature “unauthorized approved colonies”. Such colonies have unique features.

No conveyance deed

Taking advantage of the ignorance of unsuspecting buyers, the ‘ownership’ of the plot/flat is transferred through notarized GPA (General Power of Attorney)  –  not a valid conveyancing instrument.  Thus stamp duty/taxes are evaded comfortably  –  no mutation, no registered sale deed.

Construction on Khadar Land

What is more, unmindful of consequences and, allegedly, in collusion with the local authorities so called  owners  erect 4 storey structures even in 5-10ft. narrow lanes. Needless to say, in the event of any fire incident or any unforeseen natural calamity, no help can reach the trapped victims. The situation of the most of colonies standing on ‘khadar’ land nearby Yamuna river is very vulnerable where foundation is laid on loose sand. But who cares? Authorities get wiser only after the event in India. So rampant unauthorized constructions are going on for the reasons best known to all.

Approved Slums of Delhi

Sewer and water lines

Yet another catching feature of these unauthorized approved colonies, is sewer and water line run parallel in all the streets/lanes. When water pumps are used to draw water from main line to fill the overhead water tanks placed on the rooftops of 4 storey houses, it sucks the dirty water from ever full and seeping sewer line. Interestingly enough, nobody cares for the rules/ by laws. What is more, to replenish the water supply to overhead tanks, in the event of non-supply of tap water, the people use submersible pumps to extract water from earth with scant regard of NGT rulings -  there is provision of 50k penalty for unauthorized pumps. In fact it is common knowledge that no construction is possible without the soil water. So almost all the houses have submersible pumps with 'good' understanding with local police.

Flowing nullah

As far as the drains running through the street line of each serpentine lanes are concerned, it mostly remains  choked. It is not easy for the MCD workers to take out the muck and clean it. So they just sweep the streets as they wish and enjoy the salary without doing the required work. As a result, during rainy season, the waterlogged streets look like a flowing nullah. Furthermore, it is ‘customary’ in such colonies that the proud house owners stick out the ramp at the exit gate of their houses to nearly the middle of the narrow street; they take pride and pleasure in causing the inconvenience to immediate neighbors and passersby.

Stray dogs and pigeons

There is no park or any recreation centre in these colonies. But each such colony does have a religious place according to the majority of populace, and these places are,allegedly, used for meeting and other non-religious activities. Such colonies are also 'sweet home' for stray dogs, for, they are permanent residents by birth. Even MCD respects their birth right. These dogs  are unchallenged  rulers of each street. And flock of pigeons  reigns the roof tops of each house. These colonies are ideal place where the man and animals live happily.

No master plan applicable

Since the much touted master plan is not applicable to these colonies of ‘special status’, they are the favorite hunting ground for running any kind of business; one can run government approved primary or secondary school, any factory or any other business even in narrow lane, if one is prepared to pay for convenience.

Vote bank

Braving all the pertinent problems, the slums lords (house owners) who live by rental income, continue to enjoy inhibited life. It is alleged that these colonies are veritable vote banks of the netas; authorities concerned continue to maintain the status-quo. Though these unauthorized approved colonies are in Delhi, unlike DDA’s well planned colonies, they have their own world; no master plan is applicable; no SC or NGT rulings matters.

Mukherjee Nagar, a grand ghetto of coaching centres

Mukherjee Nagar, a grand ghetto of coaching centres

Entrance is the favorite house of stray dogs and they can poo and piss as a 'rightful owner'

By Mukesh sharma

With over 350 coaching centres being run from dingy and dilapidated structures so-called commercial complex at Mukherjee Nagar, North Delhi, situated at the ‘bank’ of ever stinking Najafgarh nullah, buzzing with effervescent and exclusive commercial activities from dawn to late dusk, it won’t be wrong to call it a grand and grandiose ghetto of coaching centers.

Reveals an old timer Ravi Chadha, “the most of the buildings are nearly 50 years old as the allotments to then applicants were made by the authorities way back in 1972”.

A local property dealer with 20 years of business standing says, “these buildings have already lived its age”. “The plasters have peeled off,  the large patches of bricks can be seen in the walls of the most of the structures.” Not only that iron rods are showing in the ceilings of the floors. “ Just one jolt of earthquake may raze these decrepit structures to ground” adds property dealer ironically.

Salient features of Mukherjee Nagar Commercial Complex, Delhi

The fact is neither the occupiers nor the owners are bothered about the upkeep of these structures. The most of the occupiers who are tenants, are coaching centers and interested in their teaching ‘trade’ only. And the owners are thankfully happy with their fat monthly rents.

Consequently, the buildings remain in utter neglect and ruins. A casual visitor is welcomed by the cluster of electric meters studded on the walls of very entrance with wires sticking out. The entrance is also a favourite ‘house’ of stray dogs. They can poo and piss as a ‘rightful’ owners. With worn away steps, the flight of staircase winds through floor after floors up to top floor. The corners of staircase are ‘lawful’ spittoons. Pinching nose and braving evil smell, the visitors continue to go upstairs – upwardly mobile ‘visitors’ seldom grudge or gripe.

What is noteworthy, the safety is not the baby of anyone here. As usual, the authorities concerned get wise only after the event in India –  cross the bridge when it comes. These commercial buildings are a public place. But still, there are no fire safety measures  no fire extinguishers,  non-functional fire hydrants and hose-pipes are missing from pulleys.

“God forbids, in the event of fire, these buildings may turn into an inferno –  no fire safety and no separate fire exit” opines a teacher Ram Nayak Maurya spitefully.

Mukherjee Nagar seems to be like a religious place. The government service aspirants from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana etc., including Delhites throng this place with heavy baggage of hopes and dreams as the Muslim bretheren visit holy Mecca for Haz.

Says Digvijay Singh, a teacher engaged in teaching for 15 years, “mere presence in Mukherji Nagar adds a feather in the cap”. “With Mukherjee Nagar tag, even a non entity teacher becomes hero in his hometown, and an unmarried IAS aspirant with Mukherjee Nagar identity starts getting marriage proposal in his village.” “The success in exams is immaterial but Mukherjee Nagar remains a blessed place for both teachers and students”, adds Digvijay Singh with a grin.

The day starts at Mukherjee Nagar with variety of breakfast dishes catering to the taste buds of students hailing from different states – poha, pakoras, kachori, chhole bhature, jalebi and milk, fruit salad, juice etc. Taste is guaranteed, not hygiene. The most of the vendors are squatters, selling their stuff from pavements, make-shift shops and rehris. Heaps of garbage can be witnessed beside ‘sober’ shops. The underground drains flow underneath the shops, emanating a filthy smell from the cracks. The habituated ‘customers’ don’t care. Brisk business goes on all the day.

A survey reveals that PG accommodation is a flourishing business at Mukherjee Nagar. The most of the house owners in the vicinity have converted their houses into so-called PGs. “In the name of accommodation, the needy students are provided cubbyholes, worse than the jail cells of western countries and that too for a sum of Rs 10000/- to Rs12000/- per month, of course, with what is called tiffin service” says Mamta, an IAS aspirant staying as a PG.

Those who can’t afford, take single room on rent  in informal settlements like Gopalpur, Gandhi Vihar, Wazirabad village etc,. adjoining the ‘posh’ Mukherjee Nagar.

Interestingly enough, the libraries without books is an improvised trade at Mukherjee Nagar. Under the garb of library, pigeon holes with a chair and a desk are made available to students to study daily for fixed hours in  so-called library for a sum of Rs 1500/- to Rs2000/- per month.

At Mukherjee Nagar, so-called booksellers are more interested in selling photocopies of notes. Name any exam, notes are available. Most of these so-called notes consist of past exams papers and contents copied from the acclaimed and acknowledged books of renowned authors. Says a UPSC aspirant student Kishan, “perhaps blissfully ignorant of Copy right Act,  the respected sirs who are in circulation at Mukherjee Nagar, with copied and lifted contents pass it off as their own creation”.

Amusingly, the most remarkable phenomenon at Mukherjee Nagar is the ‘poster war’ among coaching centres. It is fought at many fronts  ̶  from huge hoardings to A-4 size flyers. Since the posters and banner are removed, torn up and replaced on day-to-day basis, allegedly, by the ‘rivals’ and ‘duteous’ MCD men ‘ over conscious’ of ‘cleaning drive’, some coaching centers hire moving men and make them stand at ever  over crowded  Mukherjee Nagar main road with a ‘bill board’ fitted with the iron poll. It reminds one of the scene at airport where the air passengers coming out of the airport are greeted with placards, held by the messengers for giving specific information to passengers concerned.

Anyway, whatever is the fate of government services aspirants in this grand ghetto, coaching centers and landlords usually have the last laugh.