Kali Basti....

October 18, 2011

Members of Slum subgroup of Legal Aid Society went on a fact finding trip to Kali Basti Juggi, Uttam Nagar, Delhi.  The Kali Basti was established after displacement of people, around 25 years ago, from Karol Bagh area.  Government allotted house of 12.5 yards to each family on rent, which is around 800/- and according to different legislation including Slum Rehabilitation Act of Delhi, the government has obligation to provide basic amenities to the slum area.   

The volunteers talked to many residents who pointed out the existing problems in the area. One of the major problems is of sanitation and as per the local people and as observed by the volunteers, area was dirty and there had no sign of cleaning. Many a places were stinking and what our volunteer found that there is a ground of DDA behind Kali Basti, where garbage was dumped, which is very unhygienic for the health of residents.  Many a person told to our volunteer that for cleaning government employee ask for money and on non-payment of bribe they don’t clean.  What our volunteers found that there are pigs in and around Kali Basti, which is another cause for sanitation problem.

Another problem is of hospital, our volunteers get to know many a problems but fact was diverse. Some people said that in case of health related problem they have to go to Deen Dayal Hospital, which is far and there is no alternative, while some of them told that basic health aid is available nearby and there are lots of private dispensaries available. What volunteers get to believe that there is a health issue which should not be neglected, and there is a lack of medical facility available for poor.

Apart from above mentioned issues the absence of public toilet, scarcity of electricity and water are the main issues. There is no unpaid public toilet, which is basic necessity, because everyone can’t afford paid toilets. Also a very beautiful park of DDA beside Kali Basti has water all over it because there is no proper drainage system. Legal Aid society will file an RTI application relating to the development schemes and policies related to sanitation, health and other related issues of Kali Basti Juggi.

Dhananjay Modgalya