There have been seven fires -- both major and minor -- over the years in Masoodpur village of South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, including last Friday’s that gutted 700 jhuggis here. But area residents say this is the first time that the response from the government agencies has been so well coordinated and efficient that they can focus on re-building their homes.
“Perhaps lack of an elected government has kept the politicians away and the model code of conduct continues to be in force so the work has been on smoothly without anyone trying to take credit for it,” said a resident.
Anand Bonik, who runs an electrical shop, said there have been no shortcomings in the facilities provided by the Delhi Government after the slum residents lost all their belongings to a fire that engulfed the area after a cylinder exploded in one of the huts. “Food, water, medicines….all facilities have been arranged for us here,” he said.
The government agencies reacted very quickly, said Vasant Kunj resident Rakesh Sapru, who was among the first ones to help jhuggi dwellers on April 25. “The administration has tried its best to work together and even a minor mishap that took place recently was dealt with efficiently. The only time we saw any politicising of the issue was when a representative from a regional party from West Bengal made an appearance here to rally support from the jhuggi dwellers who are mostly Bengali migrants,” he said.
Mr. Sapru’s gardener, Hamid Ali, is a resident of the slum cluster. He was at work when he heard about the fire and so rushed back home. “Now we are all helping each other re-build our homes,” he said.
A survey initiated by NGO Balvikas Dhara has numbered the jhuggi plots over the last week and has helped reach clothes and utensils to each family. “It is really good to see the administration care about the jhuggi dwellers. Previously, we had incidents when they have been termed Bangladeshis and some of them have been randomly picked up and taken to the police station,” said Debender Kumar Baral from the NGO.
On a visit to the site on Thursday morning one saw canvas tents provided by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority sheltering several families from the harsh sun, tankers of the Delhi Jal Board lined up, a tent dedicated to health facilities with a doctor and medicines, a contingent from the Delhi Police and Civil Defence personnel helping people and numerous NGOs and smaller organisations coming forward to help, especially with food.
Bamboo sticks were being erected and tied together to form the outline of their new homes. “Previously, contractors controlled a certain number of jhuggis but this time the area residents will build their own homes,” said Mr. Baral.
The jhuggi dwellers, however, express their dissatisfaction with the ex-gratia amount of Rs.5,000 per family that was sanctioned by Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung.
“Local councillor Omwati has been denied a meeting with Mr. Jung, especially over increasing this amount,” said Mr. Sapru.
