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Definite relief

While people continue to debate whether it is morally correct to remove slum dwellers from their tenements for undertaking general development projects on government land, the removal of jhuggi clusters from both sides of Vikas Marg in East Delhi has shown that such actions definitely impact both the perceptible pollution around the areas and the vehicular flow on the roads adjoining them.

In the case of Vikas Marg, it would be pertinent to recall that there was a fatal accident on the road when during the days of demolition of the clusters a resident was knocked down by a car while he was crossing the main road. However, ever since the slums from the area have gone, motorists using the section say they feel more at ease now as the chances of any pedestrian just zipping across the busy road now are remote.

Also, with the slum clusters gone, there is less of parking of three-wheelers and other vehicles on the roadside and when recently when the water level of the Yamuna rose, there was no longer any need for relocating people on the roadside till the level receded.

Then there is also a drastic change in the quality of air in the region. While earlier smoke from household chullahs used to hang heavy in the air and very often used to be mixed with the smell of burning plastic and rubber, now with the habitation gone, the pollution has also dropped.

However, the debris of what were once houses and homes for thousands of people continue to remind the passers-by that there is an urgent need to build houses for the poor in the Capital to help them lead a dignified life. And urgent steps are needed to increase public-private participation of the kind seen in the Tehkhand project of the DDA in which 3,500 houses for the poor are being subsidised through 750 houses for the rich.

Though there is opposition to this scheme from politicians and vested interests who just want to turn Delhi into one large chunk of unauthorised colonies and slums -- as it suits their own pockets -- it is time for saner people to stand up and demand that more economical houses be built for the poor and urgently so that they do not have to live under constant fear of their homes being pulled down.

-- Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
New arrival

Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev released "India Beckons, And Other Stories" by C. Rajshekhar Rao at a function at the Women's Press Corps in the Capital on Monday.

The 147-page book published by Ocean Books Pvt Ltd comprises 19 stories on various subjects from South Asia, including two with cricket providing the backdrop.

Lucidly written, the book is Rajshekhar's maiden work of fiction. Humour forms the base of many stories and it came in for much praise from the chief guest. "I know book writing is a tough job but what little I have read in this is creditable indeed. I rarely read books when I was playing, but once I retired I got time to not only read but also write two books. My congratulations to the author for his maiden effort and hope he writes more books," said Kapil.

-- Staff Reporter

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