Delhi village lights up for the first time

It couldn't be more ironic. At a time when Delhi is pitching itself as a world-class city — with its swanky fleet of AC buses and the eighth biggest airport terminal building, and just on the verge of hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world — a village in its southeastern fringe had its homes lit up for the first time on Friday. HT reports.

It couldn't be more ironic. At a time when Delhi is pitching itself as a world-class city — with its swanky fleet of AC buses and the eighth biggest airport terminal building, and just on the verge of hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world — a village in its southeastern fringe had its homes lit up for the first time on Friday.

HT Image

Badarpur Khadar, barely 15 km from Connaught Place, lived in the dark all this while because the tiny hamlet lies on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border and is disowned by both states.

But recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of Delhi to work together to provide the village's 1,500 residents the basic amenities.

Apart from electricity, Badarpur Khadar also lacks a school, public health centre and public transport.

On Friday, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd electrified the area and gave power connections to 27 houses.

"This is perhaps the only place in India where electricity will be supplied by cutting across the boundary of another state," said a spokesperson.

Later, as the Yamuna rose dangerously, the lights in the village went out just as quickly, with the company cutting off supply as a precaution.

However, that short bright spark surely served as a beacon of hope for the future.