‘Ours is a self-sufficient society’

'Shalimar Bagh is well-connected to the rest of the city and it also has two Metro stations close by.Thanks to this, commuting has become faster and more convenient'

Shalimar Bagh is a relatively peaceful area in North Delhi. I have been living here since 1984 and I have seen the place change for the better over the years. I live in AB Block and there are many such residential blocks here. We were allotted a plot by DDA (Delhi Development Authority). Today, a similar sized flat will cost about `1 crore.

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When I moved to the area from Old Delhi in 1984, there were hardly any roads, and the existing ones were not good either. However, over a period of time, Shalimar Bagh gradually developed into a well-planned neighbourhood in northwest Delhi. The roads are broad and each block has its own park. Most of the parks are maintained well. The local markets stock everything you need from groceries to electronics to home decor. So, in a sense, it is a self-sufficient neighbourhood and we hardly ever have to step out of the locality.

Shalimar Bagh is well-connected to the rest of the city and it also has two Metro stations close by. Thanks to this, commuting has become faster and more convenient. The area has good infrastructure – broad roads, open spaces, clean parks, and so on. Besides, we have never had problems with basic amenities. There was a time when parts of the locality ­witnessed a water crisis, resulting in widespread illnesses among residents. However, that has been sorted out now. There are plenty of good schools and hospitals in the area as well. Parking space is available in the respective residential blocks; however, it is unorganised, leading to congestion at times.

(As told to Harini Sriram)