Notes from the Rajdhani

Will dedicate this post to my observations on Delhi, where I had been recently after a long time. By the way, Delhi is also my native place…

One thing that strikes you in Delhi right in the face is the massively altered landscape. Suddenly you see sprawling malls, flyovers and not to mention – the Delhi Metro.

The Delhi metro is truly Delhi’s pride (and Mumbai’s envy).

Not because it as an aesthete’s delight
Not because it provides world class facilities to passengers (shopping malls on metro stations, spanking clean washrooms, Mc. Donald’s at one station)
Not because it cuts travelling time for its users
Not because it does away with paper tickets and uses a smart ticketing system that operates on smart cards that can be reused..

For me, it stands out because of a very important reason. It offers dignity to users of public transport. For the first time Delhi has seen a hassle free, well lit, safe for all and convenient mode of transport. You are no longer held ransom to rude DTC bus operators who stuff their buses to the last inch (or centimetre for that matter).

For the uninitiated, Delhi traffic is one of the most unruly traffic (at least among all the cities I’ve seen). The average driver on the road operates on the principle “Rules are for fools”. And believe me, I’m not exaggerating…
Some of the worst offenders are two wheeler drivers, who, once the metro has been introduced, have switched to the metro thereby making traffic better, though by just a bit.

With the inauguration of new line of the Delhi Metro, its reach as just been increased tremendously. It surely has cost a bomb to the government but its been truly worth it.

Credit must be given, atleast in part, the their CM Ms. Sheila Dikshit ,who has transformed her party profile in the region despite petty politics from the opposition (notably Mr. Madanlal Khurana and co.) and many among her own party (Mr. Tytler among the rest).

With the CM taking a tough stand on the MCD demolitions, allowing the law to take its course, her stature in the eyes of the law abiding citizens of Delhi and visitors like myself has risen by quite a few notches. Its time the people in power put their foot down and put and end to the madness that has spread with the blessings of the DDA(Delhi Development Authority) and MCD.

But one doubt still persists in my mind. Are we not treating the symptoms rather than the disease itself? Illegal constructions have sprung up with the connivance of corrupt officials in the DDA and the MCD, not to forget local politicians. By destroying these structures we can remove the signs of this disease, but is there any guarantee that there will be no further violations by bribing all authorities concerned?

What action is being taken against those who allowed these constructions to spring up?
Will they be made to refund the “fees” they took from the people while sanctioning the illegal plans?

Also, it has been found in many cases that a fraud builder has bribed authorities to get clearances, sold off his flats/shops to unsuspecting citizens (or rather citizens who have no chance of finding out the truth). Finally, its these hapless victims who are served notices. Who is to blame for their predicament?

When so many products in the market have certifications like AGMARK, ISI, etc. why can we not have a nationwide authority that has the final word on the legality of property?
Had such a system been in place, we would not have faced similar problems at the now infamous Palm Beach constructions in Navi Mumbai.

These are tough questions that need to be answered. But there is a bigger question central to all these issues – Do we really care enough?