Upscale localities with modern bungalows, congested colonies, lush green spaces, clogged marketplaces, monuments of the era gone by, modern architectural brilliances, posh neighbourhoods, humble slums, and the Capital’s lone zoo — Jangpura has it all. A walk through the constituency presents an opportunity to take a look into the cross-section of people who make up Delhi.
In the quiet streets of Nizammuddin East, life looks good with bright sunshine and clean air abound. But all is not well.
According to Dr Neelam Joshi, a resident, dengue is one issue that is slowly growing to scary dimensions in this part of the city. “The whole area is affected. Something has to be done. Every year it recurs. It can be prevented. But the government is not doing enough,” Joshi said.
Price rise is another issue on the minds of the people in the posh neighbourhoods, she said.
“Things that we used to get for `200 now cost us `500. What can the common man do? How will he manage his home budget? Policy decisions are required to provide relief to people,” she said.
In the hustle-bustle of Lajpat Nagar in south Delhi, traffic jams and haphazard parking led to chaos. A Lajpat resident since 1960s, Pramod Marwah feels that even though congestion remains a major issue in the area, water quality and electricity supply are serious problems.
{{/usCountry}}In the hustle-bustle of Lajpat Nagar in south Delhi, traffic jams and haphazard parking led to chaos. A Lajpat resident since 1960s, Pramod Marwah feels that even though congestion remains a major issue in the area, water quality and electricity supply are serious problems.
{{/usCountry}}“Earlier, things were better. Now with the population increasing manifold, these problems have started emerging,” Marwah said.
There are, however, many who feel there is no civic problem issue in at least their part of the constituency. In Jangpura Extension, where bungalows and crammed double-storeys share space amid congested markets and chunks of greenery, people seem happy. One such resident, Narain Singh said, “There is no such problem here that needs to be addressed. There is ample water and regular electricity supply. Law and order is not an issue. Candidates matter, not issues.”
Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Nizamuddin East and a first-time voter, echoed Singh. “We will see the work done and vote. Apart from issues such as price rise which affects each and every Delhiite, there is no specific problem in our locality,” Kaur said.
People in the fringe areas of the constituency are not so happy. In Daryaganj, amid the ruins of the Capital’s past and the settlements around it, a feeling of neglect looms large.
Mukesh Kumar, a resident, said law and order is a big bane of the area. “If you complain to police, they come late. Work happens but too slow,” Kumar said.