- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:07 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
In a glaring example of administrative negligence and lack of inter-departmental coordination, a key road in Prem Nagar, Kirari, has been demolished by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) just six weeks after its construction was completed by the Flood and Control Department.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, who claim that lakhs of rupees in public tax money have been wasted due to the authorities' failure to plan the sewer line installation prior to road construction.
Timeline Of Negligence
The Gauri Shankar Mandir Road—running from Vidyapati Marg towards Hind Vihar Phatak in Gauri Shankar Enclave—was constructed merely a month and a half ago, in October. The project, executed by the Flood and Control Department at a cost of several hundred thousand rupees, was intended to serve the area in front of the MLA Ground.
However, two days ago, the Delhi Jal Board arrived with earth-moving machinery and began excavating the newly laid asphalt to install a sewer line. Consequently, a 200-metre section of the road has already been demolished.
Nanhu Prasad Gupta, President of the Gauri Shankar Enclave RWA (Residents' Welfare Association), condemned the move.
He said, "Hundreds of thousands of rupees of public money have been wasted due to the lack of coordination between the two departments. This is sheer negligence on the part of the government and administration. The sewer line should have been laid before the road was built."
Impact On Residents And School Children
The demolition has severely disrupted daily life in the area. The excavation near Sharda Vats Enclave, in front of the MLA Ground, has blocked access for approximately 1,000 families residing in 10 lanes of the colony.
Population Affected: Over 4,000 people are now forced to take long detours as there is no way out of the colony.
Safety Hazards: Residents report that vehicles frequently get stuck in the debris, requiring significant effort to free them. Pedestrians also face a high risk of accidents.
Student Commute: The nearby Prem Nagar Government School serves over 2,000 children. A large number of these students use this road and are now facing significant difficulties reaching school safely.
Residents Speak Out
Local residents expressed their frustration over the waste of resources and the safety risks created by the digging.
Nitish: "We had hoped that when the road was built, people would have a good facility and travel safely. But just a few weeks later, this road was dug up, causing us a lot of trouble."
Rambilas Gaur (Resident for over 25 years): "I don't know how the government and administration are working; first, they built the road, then they dug it up. This is how the tax money collected from the people is being wasted. But it makes no difference to the government."
Kusum: "The road has been dug up in front of my house. I am afraid that I might fall someday; people have fallen here several times. I have to think twice even before leaving the house."
Neelam: "If they had laid this sewer line earlier, there would have been no need to break the new road. People are facing repeated problems."
Official Responses And The Blame Game
When questioned regarding the oversight, the responses from local officials highlighted a disconnect between departments.
The Councillor: Local Municipal Councillor Rajesh Lala stated he was unaware that the new road was being demolished. He remarked that only the local MLA could provide information on the matter.
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The Flood And Control Department: An official from the department claimed due diligence was attempted. The official stated that the Jal Board was contacted before the road was constructed, but no clear response was received at that time.
The Jal Board has now informed the Flood and Control Department that they are digging to lay the line and have promised to repair the road upon completion of their work.