NEW DELHI: Nestled on the outskirts of bustling New Delhi, the village of Badli paints a picture of quaint yet pressing struggles. Its winding alleys, adorned with refuse and open drains, bear witness to the cramped existence of its inhabitants, dwelling in structures of modest stature but towering resilience.
Echoes of discontent reverberate through the air, mingling with the stagnant waters of frequent floods that plague the village streets. “It’s baffling to reconcile our reality with the grandeur of being in the nation’s capital,” laments Sunil Yadav, a voice among many in the chorus of dissatisfaction.
Yet, beyond the tangible debris lies an invisible adversary – pollution. Badli shares its breath with the nearby Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, a bustling nexus of logistics where the daily dance of trucks further fouls the air. Close proximity to the Bhalswa landfill only compounds the issue.
Naveen Gupta, a seasoned denizen, bemoans the perennial neglect from law enforcement, allowing the soil to absorb the blood spilled in senseless violence. The area is also frequently in the news as crime is rampant. Naveen Gupta, who has lived in the village for the past 30 years said. “Our area has always been neglected by the police. As a result, murders and other serious crimes have always been common here
But amidst the gloom, a beacon of progress emerges – the extension of the Delhi Metro’s golden thread. Naveen Kumar’s voice rings with gratitude as he extols the newfound ease of traversing the city, a journey once measured in hours now condensed to mere minutes. “Before the metro, it would take us almost two hours to reach central Delhi. The same journey now takes barely half an hour,” says Naveen Kumar.
Political tides ebb and flow in Badli, a microcosm of the larger electoral landscape. Over the years, the Badli seat in the Delhi assembly has witnessed a carousel of political affiliations, with the BJP reigning from 1993 to 2008, followed by the Congress from 2008 to 2015, and currently, the AAP since 2015. Ajesh of the AAP currently holds sway, securing 49.65% of the votes in 2020.
Yet, the stage is set for a new act in the drama of democracy. Badli’s fate hangs in the balance as stalwarts vie for the people’s mandate. Yogendra Chandolia, adorned with the BJP’s banner, seeks to reclaim lost ground, while Udit Raj, a prodigal son returning under the Congress’s flag, aims to rewrite his political narrative.