A heritage Baoli in Dwarka stands surrounded by filthy garbage dump
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A heritage Baoli in Dwarka stands surrounded by filthy garbage dump

Negligence and indifference of officials has turned a restored Baoli near Sector 12 in Dwarka into a refuge for drug addicts and drunkards.

A heritage Baoli in Dwarka stands surrounded by filthy garbage dump Area surrounding Baoli now has thick busy growth of plants

It was with great effort that a Lodi Era Baoli in Dwarka near Gangotri Apartments in Sector 12 of Dwarka was restored to be turned into a tourist destination.

But sadly, today the area near the Baoli has turned into a filthy garbage dumping ground. Wild bushy growth in the area makes it resemble a jungle. All plans of the government to beautify the area and turn the Baoli into a place of tourist attraction seem to have failed miserably.

The government had come out with a plan to beautify and turn the area into a tourist spot of historical importance two years ago when the Baoli was restored. Trees were to be planted in the land surrounding the  Baoli, that falls under the jurisdiction of DDA. But since then the area was neglected and consequently today it has turned into a marshy garbage dump.

Surya Prakash Singh a resident of Sector 22 said, “I have visited the Baoli many times. I can say that the authority is not serious. The area around the Baoli should have been maintained properly. Now no one wants to visit the area because it is filthy. The very purpose of restoring the Baoli is lost.”

Residents of Gangotri Apartments said that the Baoli has also become a place for drug addicts and drunkards as the area is dark with no proper lighting.

President of RWA of Gangotri Apartments, MS Yadav said, “Definitely the Baoli is Dwarka's glory  but it needs proper attention from the civic agencies. At night this place poses a risk to the residents. Many times, we had to complain to the police, who did respond to our calls."

City Spidey ran into the lone guard on duty at the Baoli since October. He admitted that young boys visit the Baoli and do drugs. “Often they threaten me and I have to keep quiet. The boys had also damaged the cabin,” he said.

The area is not just poorly maintained. It is also cut off from the main road. Moreover, there are no sign boards to announce the Baoli or make it popular in the area. “A road was to be built, but so far nothing has happened,” said Shivani Varma, a resident of Sector 12.

The Baoli had been re-stored by INTACH (The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) and handed over to State Archaeology department. It is the state archaeology department that is responsible for its maintenance.

When asked about the Baoli, SDMC Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said she would take up the issue with the concerned authorities.