'What Will it Take to Fix Manholes, Open Drains in Delhi's Batla House?'

'Open and overflowing drains have made the lives of the residents of Batla House in Delhi's Okhla locality miserable.'

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

As a resident of Batla House in Delhi's Okhla, I can vouch for the deplorable state of its narrow lanes due to open and overflowing manholes in the area.

It not only disrupts the daily life of the residents, but also affects the business of local shopkeepers. Particularly near Hari Masjid in Pahalwan Chowk, several manholes tend to overflow, filling the pathways with stagnant water and muck.

An overflowing manhole near Hari Majid in Batla House.

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

"The terrible smell from the drains has made it hard for us to manage our daily tasks, and there seems to be no lasting fix," says Wasim Ahmad, a local shopkeeper, echoing the frustration we all feel.

Although the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has undertaken some repairs of late, Ahmad points out that their efforts seem to be temporary. “In about a week, we will be back to square one,” he adds.

Repair work of a manhole being carried out by the MCD workers in Batla House.

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

Mohd Arif, a fruit vendor in the area, reveals how this mess is driving customers away. “People want to buy fruits, but they have to pull their pants up to avoid the muck. It’s really hurting my business,” he notes as he moves his stand around, hoping to attract customers despite the awful smell.

The situation worsens significantly when it rains. “This seems like a never-ending struggle. Students at the nearby school will have a hard time when winter break ends," Asif, a postgraduate student, tells me.

His concern about the lack of a real solution reflects our collective frustration.

Even a short spell of rain makes it impossible for the locals to navigate through the streets.

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

Even after three repairs in four months, the issue persists. “Manholes should help manage water, but household waste clogs them up,” Asif explains. Earlier in November, the authorities replaced some pipes to fix things, but now they’re replacing them again, which raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of these so-called repairs.

Hilal Ahmad, a research scholar in my locality, shares how this situation has impacted his health and studies. “The toxic smell from the manholes made me sick during the first week of January. I couldn’t even go to the library during that time,” he says.

Stack of drainpipes that are being used to repair the sewer.

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

Many of us believe that a collaborative effort is crucial to tackling this issue. “It’s not just up to the department. Residents should stop throwing bottles, carry bags, and other waste into the drains as they cause blockages,” my neighbour Mohsin Khan says.

So, what really is the solution? “Instead of pouring money into repairs that don't last, the administration should find a solid fix. If a permanent solution isn’t possible, let’s at least have something that lasts more than two months,” another local Javed Siddiqui tells me.

'Even after three repairs in four months, the issue persists.'

(Photo Credit: Ilhak Tantray)

This ongoing problem highlights how critical it is for us, the community and the administration, to work together to make the streets of Batla House functional.

(The Quint has reached out to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Their response is awaited. The story would be updated as and when they respond.)

(All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)