Residents demand urgent action on water scarcity, pollution, and broken infrastructure as voting day nears
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Just days before the February 5 assembly, the city’s political temperature has reached its peak, and nowhere is this more evident than in Ballimaran, a historic constituency in the heart of Old Delhi. As political leaders scramble to woo voters with promises of change and development, residents of Ballimaran have been expressing growing frustration with the unaddressed issues that have plagued their area for years.
Issues of water shortage, poor infrastructure, pollution, and unsanitary conditions have again taken centre stage as elections draw near.
One of the most pressing issues affecting the residents of Ballimaran is the severe water shortage. Muhammad Mushtaq Qureshi, a resident of the area, expressed his frustration, saying, “We have to wait for days without water, and when it finally comes, it’s often contaminated. People have to go to the nearby mosques to fetch water. In the summer, the situation becomes unbearable. We end up buying drinking water, which many people here cannot afford.”
The water crisis is not a new issue. In fact, it has persisted for years, but the lack of a permanent solution has caused immense hardship for the local population. Parents in the area have also raised concerns about the impact on children’s education. “There have been instances where schools had to be closed because there was no water,” said Qureshi. “This not only disrupts education but also leads to an unhealthy environment where children cannot even stay hydrated.”
Ghufran, a local social worker who has been tirelessly advocating for the area’s improvement, shared his disappointment with the government’s failure to address the water issue. “The local representatives have heard our complaints many times, but instead of providing a solution, they just keep postponing it,” Ghufran said. “They promise to solve these problems during election season, but once they win, they forget all about the people who put their faith in them.”
This sentiment was echoed by other residents, who feel neglected and abandoned by the political leadership. “It’s the same story every election,” said Salman Qureshi, another local. “The leaders say all the right things during the campaign, but once the elections are over, we’re left with the same problems. Water, garbage, pollution — nothing changes.”
Apart from water scarcity, another critical issue plaguing the people of Ballimaran is the ever-worsening pollution. Residents of the area are exposed to harmful air quality, which has serious health consequences. “Pollution in this area is unbearable,” said Salman Qureshi. “We’ve raised the issue with every representative, but the response has been the same — empty promises. We need a solution, not just words.”
The air quality in Delhi, particularly in areas like Ballimaran, has become a major public health crisis, with the risk of respiratory diseases and other complications exacerbating the suffering of residents. With a large number of children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing health conditions living in the constituency, many fear the long-term impact of poor air quality. “The government has ignored this issue for far too long,” said Kawsar Qureshi. “We want our elected representatives to take action, but nothing happens.”
In addition to the issues of water and pollution, residents of Ballimaran are also grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, especially when it comes to roads, sewage, and waste management. “The roads are full of potholes, and every time there is a road construction project, it’s either delayed or abandoned,” said Mohammad Rafiq, a local shopkeeper. “We’ve been living with these broken roads for years, and nothing has changed.”
Kawsar Qureshi pointed out that the situation is even worse during the rainy season. “Garbage piles up on the streets, and the sewage lines are blocked, causing water to stagnate. The area turns into a breeding ground for diseases,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for years for the authorities to fix these basic issues, but it’s the same every year — no action, just promises.”
The area’s sewerage system has also been a source of constant frustration for residents. “Many of the sewer lines are blocked, and the water lines are broken in several places,” said Imran Ali, a local resident. “As a result, dirty water often flows through the pipelines, contaminating everything.” This contamination not only poses a serious health hazard but also reflects the failure of the local administration to address the issue.
The combination of poor infrastructure, blocked sewerage systems, and inadequate waste management has left the people of Ballimaran living in deplorable conditions. Despite repeated complaints and appeals to local representatives, little has been done to improve the situation.
Ballimaran is not just any constituency — it is a part of Old Delhi, steeped in history and culture. The constituency is famously known as the home of the legendary Urdu-Persian poet Mirza Ghalib, whose works continue to resonate with literary enthusiasts across the world. However, today, the constituency is better known for its neglect and infrastructure failures than for its rich cultural heritage.
A resident, Zubair Khan, reminisced about the area’s past glory, saying, “Ballimaran used to be associated with culture, poetry, and heritage. But now, all people talk about are the problems. We are struggling with basic necessities while our heritage is slowly being forgotten.”
The political landscape of Ballimaran has seen significant changes over the years. From 1993 to 2013, the constituency was held by Congress leader Haroon Yusuf, who served as a cabinet minister in the Sheila Dikshit government. However, in 2015 and 2020, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged victorious, with Imran Hussain winning the seat by sizable margins in both elections. Hussain is considered a key Muslim face in the AAP government.
Despite the political shift, residents remain deeply dissatisfied with the lack of progress in their area. “We’ve had representatives from both Congress and AAP, but nothing has changed,” said Imran Ali. “We want someone who actually listens to us and solves our problems, not just give us false hopes.”
As voting day draws near, the people of Ballimaran remain hopeful, yet sceptical. “We will vote, but we’re not sure if anything will change,” said Ghufran. “Every election, they say they’ll fix the problems, but after they win, they forget us.”
The outcome of the election in Ballimaran will be closely watched. The constituency is not just a battleground for political parties, but a symbol of the unfulfilled promises that many Delhi residents face in their daily lives.
As Delhi heads to the polls this week, the residents of Ballimaran are demanding real change. They want solutions to their water shortages, cleaner streets, improved infrastructure, and cleaner air. However, after years of unfulfilled promises, they are weary and unsure of what the future holds.
“Election time brings hope, but once the votes are cast, we’re left with the same old problems,” said Kawsar Qureshi. “We just want someone who will fight for us, not forget us after the election.”
The question remains: will this election finally bring the change that the people of Ballimaran so desperately need? As the votes are cast and counted, only time will tell if the promises made by political candidates will finally lead to tangible improvements in this neglected corner of Delhi.
