New Delhi: In this bone-chilling December cold, bright sunshine is the only solace for the denizens of Delhi. But this momentary warmth too is a luxury for many. WM Bali is one. At 90 plus age, he is craving to bask under the elusive sun to keep himself warm.
A resident of Santushti D-6, Vasant Kunj, Bali lives on the ground floor of a four-storey DDA building. Ashok Malik, his neighbour who bought a flat on the second floor of the building in August 2018, went on to alter/modify his flat since October 2018 despite his vehement objections.
The alleged illegal modifications in the form of large balconies on the back and front sides of flats are constructed in a way that those living on the ground floor can’t have access to ventilation, leave alone natural light.
Besides, an additional room on the backside was also constructed resulting in a total blockade of natural light to Bali’s flat.
Despite his age-related infirmities, the elderly widower, who lives alone, is running from pillar to post to draw the attention of the authorities towards his plight to no avail. He says he has no grouse against anybody but wants to spend his twilight years in healthy surroundings.
He wrote to the Vasant Kunj North SHO, Police commissioner, vice-chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), superintendent of police, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), executive engineer of S Zone, deputy commissioner of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Green Park. Unfortunately, no one even bothered to acknowledge his pleas, leave alone giving him a reply.
“All my pleas fell on deaf ears,” bemoans the senior citizen.
In the past, Bali personally went to meet Lieutenant Governor at his Raj Niwas residence to narrate his plight. Thereafter, assistant engineer (Building) South Zone SDMC stated that based on LG office direction his office had planned to take a demolition action for December 21, 2018.
But for reasons best known to SDMC officials no action has been taken till date. Consequently, he is still forced to live an inhuman, helpless and torturous life.
With all his physical limitations, Bali once again went alone, by a three-wheeler, to Raj Niwas to meet the LG on November 25, 2019, but was not allowed to meet him.
However, an official at the LG office, after seeing all the correspondence and giving him a patient hearing, promised to issue directions for necessary action within a fortnight. But unfortunately, no action has been taken so far.
The authorities have expressed their inability to act on his applications citing the ongoing Assembly elections. They say they will act once the elections are over.
“But by the time the elections are over,” he said, “I won’t have the urge to bask under the sunlight. Yet I’m waiting for the promised action to mitigate my woes.”
