IP Extension: A case of neighbour’s envy, not owner’s pride

The residents of Indraprastha Extension, one of the trans-Yamuna areas with better living conditions, are an unhappy lot because of the neighbouring unauthorised colonies. This east Delhi locality has 161 societies and approximately 15,000 flats. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

The residents of Indraprastha Extension, one of the trans-Yamuna areas with better living conditions, are an unhappy lot because of the neighbouring unauthorised colonies. This east Delhi locality has 161 societies and approximately 15,000 flats.

HT Image

“People from these areas break the window glasses of the cars that are parked in our society’s backside and steal things. Chain-snatching incidents are on the rise due to the presence of these criminals,” said Anupam Sharma, a lawyer from Technology Apartments.

The IP Extension area has three wards: Vinod Nagar which has 22 societies; IP Extension with 73 societies, and Preet Vihar which has 21 societies.

Archana Rawat, a teacher from Saraswati Kunj, pointed out how narrow lanes in Vinod Nagar led to “garbage spilling over to the road”.

In case of half-a-dozen societies between Chander Vihar/Allah Colony and Madhu Vihar, pumping of sewage into societies’ storm water drains has led to regular water-logging.

The area also lacks an authorised parking lot in its markets, such as Balco Market and Madhu Vihar market, which often results in traffic snarls.

“There is a vacant plot earmarked ‘green’ in the masterplan. We have been asking to change land use to convert it into a multi-level parking, but to no avail,” said Suresh Bindal of IPEX Societies Mahasangh.

Keshwa Nand, a retired senior government officer residing in Maitri Apartments, blamed Ravi Parkash Sharma, Preet Vihar councillor for not spending any time here.

He said IP Extension councillor Manju Gupta spends money on things the area does not need. “RTI queries have showed nearly R5 crore were spent on footpaths, road berms and high mast lights, most of which do work,” Sharma said.

In her defence, Gupta said, “I had raised the issue of parking problems several times in the house. Except for the green area, all other areas where parkings can come up are owned by the DDA. We cannot do anything about it.”