Former Chief Executive Councillor, the late Jag Parvesh Chandra used to often say that Delhi was everyone’s mistress and nobody’s wife because of which there was no ownership for the various mistakes that have occurred since Independence. While the spotlight has lately been on the alterations being carried out in the Central Vista zone of Lutyen’s Delhi, what has gone unreported is the appalling conditions that prevail in the walled city as well as adjoining areas. The state of affairs is also a reflection on media, particularly the city reporters, who have failed to focus adequate attention on what has been happening around us.
On Wednesday, I ventured out towards the old Delhi Railway Station to drop someone who was to catch the night train to Kalka en route to Shimla. The first attempt was to put the passenger in one of the Station bound buses but that became impossible since every bus could only accommodate a limited number of people in accordance with the Covid protocol. So, from Gurgaon, I reached Connaught Place and then decided to go to the old Delhi station myself since I had not travelled in that direction for many many years. I decided to go past the New Delhi Station and take the Qutab Road which would go all the way till the Pili Kothi intersection near the junction of Azad Market, Teliwara, and other landmarks.
The entire stretch of Qutab Road with Sadar Bazar on its left and the railway line on its right, is in such a pathetic state that one wonders what the civic authorities have been doing all this while. The unmetalled road which was the artery between the New and old Delhi demonstrates how our elected representatives in the municipal corporation, Delhi Assembly and Parliament have failed us.
Unnecessary obstructions have been put to add to the woes of any motorist and it appears that no plan is in sight to carry out the required repairs. The moment I took the detour towards the old Delhi Station on the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, I was again baffled by the cement barricades that can mislead anyone, more so those unfamiliar with the layout of the city.
Driving past where once the Novelty cinema stood was another indescribable experience; the cinema used to put out huge billboards of film stars’ who acted in the movies that were screened at this theatre. Reaching the Station was a relief when one saw the beautiful building still intact. However, after dropping my associate, I continued on Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg past Presentation Convent School and tried to take a right turn towards the Red Fort.
The road was blocked, and since I had to get back to Connaught Place, I decided to go towards Chandni Chowk driving past where the Jubilee and Majestic cinema halls were. The Qutab Road story was repeated. The entire path is in the most deplorable state and the main Chandni Chowk from the Fountain till the Lajpat Rai Market has been pedestrianized thus adding to the confusion. Even Esplanade Road has been closed down.
What is not understandable is that devotees to Gurdwara Sis Ganj Saheb have to park their vehicles at a distance to come and visit the holy shrine since the parking lots are yet to be developed in areas earmarked diagonally opposite the erstwhile Majestic cinema. Had to take a long detour towards the Ring Road to get to Connaught Place but it was evident that those who are administering Delhi have failed to do justice to the people of the walled city and adjoining areas.
I am sure that had someone like Vijai Kapoor would have been the Lt. Governor, these type of lapses could not have occurred. Wonder why the vocal Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal has been silent on the desecration that is a work in progress. Jag Parvesh Chandra’s logic was that 70 per cent of people who live in the capital do not consider it their home. Home for them is in some other state so they could not care less. The hoary history of the city tells us how it was raided multiple times and each time, its identity was sought to be altered. However, in a democratic setup, this is totally unacceptable. Those in power must take notice of this destruction.