The sludge-choked Trunk Drain 5 just behind the society has become a source of toxic gases and a foul smell. But have the authorities listened? No.
The choked mouth of Trunk Drain 5
Residents of Metro View Apartments in Sector 13, Phase II, Dwarka, are living through a continuous health hazard. A choked drain — Trunk Drain 5 (TD 5) — just behind the society has become a source of toxic gases and a foul smell. And despite several complaints, authorities remain unmoved.
Those living at the back of the society are particularly affected. The drain has not been cleaned for a long time, and there’s stagnating water and sludge.
A resident of the society, Ramphal Singh, has written several times to Delhi Development Authority (DDA), urging it to clean the drain. But nothing has been done yet. Not stopping at that, he has also filed a complaint with the lieutenant governor (LG), the chief minister, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other area representatives.
Ramphal Singh with the complaint letter
He said, “This drain has made our lives miserable — the place is always stinking and it's a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. The sludge is so dense that there’s no flow of water. I have repeatedly asked the authorities to clean the drain, but they are busy passing the buck.”
He added, “Sometimes it’s even difficult to breathe. Our electronic gadgets are also getting affected from the gases emanating for the drain.”
“Nobody wants to take responsibility — the state government says measures should be taken by DDA; the DDA passes the onus to the irrigation department! Finally, I had to call the LG’s office twice this month to get my complaint heard. Let’s see what happens now,” he continued.
The garbage collectors, he adds, dump the waste in the drain, choking it. According to him, DDA is aware of the practice, but is doing nothing to stop it.
According to Vinod Rawat, RWA president of Metro View Apartments, “The flats at the back — from 489 to 608 — are the worst affected. The RWA has written to DDA and other agencies, but there has been no action. In various meetings with the authorities, the RWA proposed to cover the drain, as part of the drain behind National Law University in Sector 14 is already covered.”
DDA officials were not available for comment.
