Shocking Contrast to Picture of an Upscale Condominium in Richmond Park
A massive pool of stinking sewage water lies dormant along HUDA’s sector 43 entire eastern flank as far as the eye can see. This is a storm water drain which is blocked on all sides and has nowhere to go. With each monsoon shower, the level of the stagnant green muck rises, raising fear amongst the residents that the sewage water may gradually percolate into the groundwater table or in a crack that may develop in their drinking water line. Pigs roam freely in the area, a cluster of unauthorized jhuggies add to the contamination and the threat of hepatitis and malaria looms large.
Garima Dixit, a resident said, “I am on the third floor and the stench is so persistent that we can’t go up to the balcony of the room on that side. The ugly site is a home for thousands of mosquitoes and insects and the residents are facing the inconvenience on a daily basis.”
By and large, Richmond Park in DLF Phase IV presents a picture of an upscale condominium with a difference. But look beyond its boundary into HUDA’s sector 43 and a shocking contrast grabs your attention. According to the residents of the condominium, the problem has existed for over six months and is now becoming worse by the day. Many of them complain that they cannot open their windows and balcony doors because of the stink.
Civic authorities have visited the site but only after repeated reminders from the Richmond Park Owners and Residents Association and appear to have no answers or solutions. HUDA Administrator Nitin Yadav had earlier said that the problem of sewage water congregation will be over in new Gurgaon areas by April 30 as work on the master sewer line would be completed by then.
N C Sinha, the president of the association and a former GM of Indian Railways, whose flat overlooks the sewage pool, is even more indignant. “Why can’t the authorities wake up and take action? This is simply outrageous – do we have to turn to (minister) Jairam Ramesh for help?” he rued. Talking about the persisting problem, Hari Dutt Sharma, executive engineer said, “It is a creek carrying the excess storm water to the master drain. We are only waiting for the permission of the forest department for the remodelling. The builder is dumping the sewage in the drainage which is increasing the problem of the neighbourhood residents.”
“Nothing has happened, nothing has changed. The residents are regularly coordinating with the HUDA authorities but no action has been taken yet. The muck is increasing and the monsoon has enhanced the stink,” said Sudhir Dar, a renowned cartoonist and a resident of the colony.
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