Even as cash-rich South corporation takes credit for providing civic amenities in areas under its jurisdiction, the residents of several localities are condemned to live in surroundings of muck and drain water.

Some people have expressed deep concern over deteriorating sanitation. They submitted a memorandum to the commissioner of the civic body over the issue.

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In case of Taimoor Nagar village, adjacent to posh New Friends Colony, a open drain runs along the entire length of residential area. It is supposed to be a rainwater drain but lies choked with polythene, vegetable waste and other trash items.

The dirty drain, however, has been a major concern for area inhabitants because it attracts flies and mosquitoes which can cause breakout of diseases.

“Children get sick often. Water in rainy season enters houses and emanates foul smell that is hard to bear,” said a 57-year-old lady who lives in a jhuggi cluster.

The residents recall the time when the area wasn’t densely populated and the drain used to be clean and dry most of the year. “The village hasn’t grown. Instead, it has witnessed a decline. The problems have been growing and the authorities remain negligent,” feel the residents.

Sangam Vihar and Khizrabad, which also fall under South civic body, can also be seen reeking with smell of garbage and allegedly the areas have remained neglected for years.

There are problems like potholed roads marked with overflow of sewage, unplanned commercialisation and manifold increase in traffic.

The sorry state was hilighted by BJP leader Vijay Jolly, who along with some members of Sangam Vihar RWAs some days ago gave a memorandum of civic problems existing in Sagam Vihar to South Delhi mayor Narendra Chawla and commissioner of South Delhi.

According to Jolly, sanitary conditions were pitiable in wards 85-S, 84 and 83 where garbage could be seen littered almost everywhere.

” Today Sangam Vihar has become Sankat Vihar. The two main approach roads of Sangam Vihar ~ Ratia Marg and Mangal Bazaar ~ are often flooded with dirty drain water. That has affected local business and trade. The school and college going students and poor citizens are put to great hardships every day,” Jolly said.

He apprehended epidemic spreading in the area due to garbage and drain water all over in the colony. Jolly claimed he had requested South Delhi mayor and commissioner to visit Sangam Vihar for on the spot inspection and remedial action.

Also, there are so many constructions sites where one can find piles of construction waste and trash lying unattended in South Delhi.

Ironically the civic body had last year pledged to work towards improving the ranking of the corporation in the next Swachh Bharat survey, and set a target of keeping its position within the top 25.

“The SDMC can do it as we are financially sound. Out of 60 lakh population under our jurisdiction, most of the inhabitants are affluent and they can render their cooperation,” South Delhi Municipal commissioner PK Goel, had once claimed.