Delhi's Sanjay Colony slums struggle for basic needs amid govt amnesia
NEW DELHI: Leaning forward, Raju shows a deep scar beneath his eye; the injury had been inflicted by a cow that wandered about the garbage heaps near his house in Sanjay Colony. “Cow attacks are common for us. I managed to escape with a minor injury. Last year, a boy had to be admitted to the ICU after being attacked,” the 32-year-old said.
The colony, located in Okhla Phase 2, is one of the largest slums in the capital. Residents complain of the garbage dump on the main road leading into the colony. Despite repeated complaints, the municipal corporation has done little.
Meanwhile, the dump has turned into grazing ground for herds of cows. Garbage collection trucks never show up, forcing residents to dispose of their waste at the dump. Residents have even created a 200-member WhatsApp group to discuss the issue.
Another problem plaguing the colony is the unavailability of water. Long-time resident Pradeep Kumar says, “There is no tap water connection here; we get up early to fill as much water as possible from the Jal Board tankers.” Large jerrycans with stored water stand like sentinels outside every home in the colony. During the days of severe water crisis in May-June, the colony made headlines for frequent fights to fill water from tankers.
The slum built on 25 acres of DDA land is home to over 500 families; most of them second or third-generation migrants from UP and Bihar. A complete lack of basic amenities defines the lives of the dwellers. With very few houses with attached toilets, most residents use the nearby public toilet complex. Only two primary schools are located in the vicinity; no high school in sight. The nearby Mohalla Clinic is hardly open; forcing residents as far away as Kalkaji for health needs.
With each passing day, residents grow increasingly gloomy about their future prospects. Rahul Kumar, born and brought up in the colony, says, “Every election season, politicians come here and make lofty promises. But nothing ever changes.”
An unlikely tourist spot
Ironically, the slum has become a popular destination for ‘off-beat travellers’, with multiple ‘Slum Walking Tours’ offering “first-hand glimpse of life in a Delhi slum.” These tours can cost anywhere between `1500-2000.