Dwarka Residents Rally Against Civic Apathy

In Dwarka Sectors 22 and 23, residents and community leaders are voicing serious concerns about deteriorating infrastructure, environmental hazards and civic neglect. Under the leadership of SDKS ( Sukh Dukh Ke Saathi) a local NGO advocating for senior citizens and environmental welfare, individuals such as Air Commodore Rakesh Kumar, Capt. S.S. Mann, Col. Prem Chaudhary and Ravi Behl have raised pressing issues that underscore the urgent need for improved civic management and infrastructural reform. Mounting Infrastructure Issues.

Residents of Sectors 22 and 23, including Commodore Rakesh Kumar and Col. Prem Chaudhary, have highlighted the degradation of basic amenities in their area. The internal roads, particularly around key landmarks like the Veena Society and Hanuman Mandir in Sector 23 are plagued with potholes and require immediate repairs. While some cemented roads remain in good condition, those that are damaged create hazards, particularly for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Unauthorized speed breakers, such as those on the service road near Garden Estate and DDA SFS Society, compound these issues by damaging vehicles and posing risks to passengers. Adding to the infrastructure woes is the illegal occupation of market basements by vendors. Facilities like Manish Mall in Sector 22 and Vardhman Market in Sector 23, which were initially designated for parking, are now overrun with vendors, leaving patrons and residents with inadequate parking options. This encroachment not only disrupts pedestrian traffic but also exacerbates road congestion, making travel within these sectors a daily struggle. Moreover, overgrown trees in Sector 22 obscure streetlights, creating dark and potentially dangerous pathways for pedestrians at night. Traffic police are notably absent at key intersections, including the red light crossing near Sector 22 DDA flats, allowing unchecked rash driving, red-light violations, and illegal parking to thrive. For residents, these issues are not only about convenience but reflect a deeper, ongoing lack of attention from the civic authorities. Environmental Concerns: Water Pollution and Wildlife Protection. 
An ongoing sewage issue is perhaps one of the most troubling environmental hazards impacting Dwarka. Overflowing sewer lines in sectors 22 and 23 are causing leakage from sewer lids, creating unsanitary conditions and jeopardizing the water quality of nearby bodies. Specifically, sewage is seeping into the storm water drains that lead to the water body within Sector 23’s District Park. Commodore Kumar and Col. Chaudhary warn that if this issue is not addressed promptly, the contamination may lead to serious environmental and health consequences for the local community. In response, residents have filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), demanding immediate action from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to prevent sewage ingress into the stormwater drains.

Additionally, they call for the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) adjacent to Trunk Drain II to be fully
operational, thereby providing a cleaner source of water for the area’s water bodies. Diwan Singh, a local environmental advocates emphasized that these water bodies, if properly managed, could serve as valuable community resources and support the local ecosystem. Interestingly, despite the dense urban landscape, sectors 22 and 23 are home to 46 bird species, whose habitat remains relatively stable due to the area’s substantial tree cover. However, residents urge authorities to plant more fruit-bearing trees to ensure a sustainable food source for these birds. By enriching the habitat, the community hopes to bolster Dwarka’s ecological diversity, providing a safer and healthier environment for its feathered inhabitants.

Noise Pollution and Traffic Violations Noise pollution in Dwarka is a growing concern, exacerbated by vehicles with musical horns and mini- buses that race through the service roads, ignoring traffic laws. Sector 22’s residents frequently observe minibuses and other vehicles engaging in reckless driving, including wrong turns at red-light crossings. With traffic police scarce, especially during peak hours, these violations go largely unchecked, leaving local residents frustrated and increasingly at risk. Residents have voiced their concerns regarding the absence of traffic management, which has fostered a culture of indiscipline on the roads. They urge the authorities to take steps to enforce traffic regulations strictly, ensuring that drivers adhere to speed limits, avoid musical horns, and respect pedestrian rights.
Unregulated Vendor Zones and Encroachment: Another concern that SDKS and community members like Air Commodore Kumar and Col. Prem has pointed out the unchecked proliferation of vendors along internal roads and pavements. These vendors often occupy pedestrian walkways and public spaces, forcing pedestrians onto the roads and creating hazardous walking conditions. With little to no oversight from the authorities, this encroachment has continued unabated, adding to the chaos of Dwarka’s daily life. The residents have proposed a potential solution: dedicated vendor zones in each sector. By creating regulated spaces for vendors, authorities could provide these individuals with a secure livelihood without disrupting pedestrian traffic. Additionally, regulating parking in these vendor zones could help address the severe parking shortage in Dwarka’s market areas. 

Call for Action and Accountability: SDKS is calling on local authorities to conduct regular inspections in the area, involving the SDM, senior police officials and local leaders. The NGO insists that continuous monitoring is essential to ensuring a safer and cleaner Dwarka. They also emphasize that the cleaning and maintenance of all storm water drains across Dwarka should be a priority to prevent further pollution of water bodies. In particular, they demand that all storm water drains be connected to Dwarka’s 30 plus water bodies, which could serve as natural reservoirs for clean water. Moreover, they propose that innovative measures, such as artificial rain, be explored to curb pollution in extreme situations. To address the ongoing sound pollution from aircraft, residents advocate for the installation of noise-reducing technologies along major junctions and roads. They believe these improvements could restore a sense of peace and comfort to Dwarka’s streets, especially at night when heavy vehicles contribute to noise pollution.

Day-to-Day Challenges of Civic Neglect: For residents like Commodore Ramesh Kumar and Col. Prem Chaudhary, the apathy displayed by civic agencies extends to day-to-day concerns as well. Broken footpaths, littered markets, and clogged drains are just some of the symptoms of poor maintenance in Dwarka. Local MCD workers often leave piles of waste unattended for days, while cracked tiles and open drain holes make footpaths perilous. As a result, pedestrians are often forced to walk on the roads, dodging traffic and unauthorized parking. Unregulated parking is another persistent issue. Residents report that vehicles, including autos, e- rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws, frequently park illegally on roads and footpaths. The lack of enforcement by traffic police emboldens these offenders, who continue to disregard traffic laws without consequence.

A Path Forward for Dwarka: Through a collective and vocal approach, SDKS and concerned residents are determined to see change in Dwarka. They are advocating for effective solutions that balance development with environmental preservation and civic responsibility. By urging authorities to address these issues, Dwarka’s residents hope to restore the area’s original charm and make it a model of urban living in the 21st century. “Dwarka was envisioned as a modern city with all amenities, but mismanagement has dimmed its promise,” says Commodore Ramesh Kumar. “With renewed focus and accountability from the authorities, we can reclaim Dwarka’s potential and transform it into a safe, clean, and vibrant community.” The message from Dwarka’s residents is clear: civic agencies and local administrations must step up, enforce regulations, and actively engage with the community to bring lasting improvements to sectors 22 and 23.

Here's what other SDKS members have to say-

"Despite Dwarka's reputation as a 21st-century urban hub, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Our roads are hazardous, and residents, particularly senior citizens, face daily challenges due to potholes, illegal speed breakers and unchecked encroachments. We need immediate intervention to regulate traffic, repair damaged pathways and ensure a safe environment. The pedestrian walkways, often cluttered with vendors and unauthorized parking, are especially dangerous for the elderly, who are left to navigate congested roads on foot. Dwarka’s markets, filled with litter and illegally occupied spaces, are also in dire need of regulation. Authorities must prioritize structured vendor zones to restore order. Without accountability and consistent civic management, Dwarka’s infrastructure and quality of life will continue to deteriorate. I call on the responsible agencies to act now and provide the basic amenities this modern city promises. Dwarka deserves to be as functional as it is designed to be."

Capt. S. S. Mann, President SDKS

"Encroachments, neglected public spaces and lack of proper traffic management have taken a toll on Dwarka sectors 22 and 23. Every day, residents confront challenges due to poorly maintained infrastructure-broken footpaths, clogged drains, and unauthorised parking are just a few examples. These problems are compounded by the absence of traffic enforcement, with drivers often violating rules at key intersections. Noise pollution from musical horns and rash driving by minibuses have turned our once-peaceful neighborhoods into chaotic spaces, disrupting community life. While development should have improved our living standards, a lack of regulation has left Dwarka compromised and unsafe. I urge the civic bodies to enforce stricter rules, clear encroachments, and monitor public spaces to bring Dwarka back to its intended standard. Let’s restore Dwarka to the planned, sustainable community we envisioned—a place where residents can walk, drive and live safely and comfortably."

Ravi Behl

"As vice president of SDKS and a long-time resident of Dwarka, I am gravely concerned about the environmental issues we face. Overflowing sewers and blocked drains are not only unhygienic but also contaminate our local water bodies, like the one in Sector 23’s District Park. We cannot allow untreated sewage to pollute our community and threaten public health. The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) adjacent to Trunk Drain II must become fully operational to safeguard our environment and maintain clean water sources. This negligence is not just an inconvenience-it poses real health and environmental risks. Additionally, Dwarka is rich in biodiversity, with 46 species of birds. To protect this habitat, we need more fruit-bearing trees in open spaces. Authorities must take urgent, sustained action to prevent sewage leakage, maintain storm water drains and preserve our environment for the future. Dwarka’s natural beauty and livability depend on immediate, responsible action."

Col. Prem Chaudhary

“The issues in Dwarka sectors 22 and 23 reflect a critical lack of civic oversight, affecting both our daily lives and the environment. Residents endure encroachments on pavements and markets, pothole- ridden roads, and noise pollution from incessant honking. But even more concerning is the sewage leaking into the storm water drains, which directly contaminates the water bodies meant to serve as natural assets for our community. This situation not only damages the infrastructure but poses severe health risks to residents. Furthermore, with increasing urbanization, maintaining habitats for local bird species are essential. To sustain Dwarka’s ecological balance, we need fruit-bearing trees planted across available spaces. The current state of Dwarka is far from the ideal urban setup it was designed to be. I appeal to the local agencies to enforce regulations strictly, repair damaged facilities, and prioritize environmental preservation to restore Dwarka’s intended quality of life."

Commodore Ramesh Kumar