The park over the Nullah has been inaugurated. Minister Ajay Maken was called in;presumably in a private ceremony consisting of the DCWA members, MCD Councillors & MLA's and select privileged others, the opening ceremony was completed. The residents, for whom this facility has been created, weren't invited, and remain oblivious of the opening ceremony. Since I too wasn't present, and thereby merely by conjecture, assume the inauguration must have entailed the usual hype and hoopla; bouquets, ribbon cutting, empty speeches, back patting and photographs. If the residents are lucky, the Samavada may carry some photographs in one of their issues.

As could be expected, the DCWA & the Nullah committee, would be quite pleased at the kudos and good press they'd be receiving for finally completing this ultimate project of Defence Colony. Our congratulations to them too, on persevering and finally achieving fruition.

However, irritatingly, construction continues despite the apparent completion and inauguration .On enquiring why walls were being raised at the entrance of the Colony, Ring Road side, one was horrified to learn from the construction workers that these walls are for public toilets, as part of the park.

Toilets?

At the entrance of Defence Colony?

Yes!

Our able DDA planners in conjunction with the DCWA in their wisdom have decided to place toilets meant for the entire length of the park at the least approachable furthest ends of the park, i.e. the entrances of Defence Colony. Just at the metal gates where the colony starts, public toilets are being constructed with gusto. Since these toilets are essentially meant for resident walkers and park visitors, it makes little or no sense to place the toilets at the farthest corners, less approachable by residents and more approachable by non-residents from Moolchand Complex, Andrews Ganj, juggi dwellers across, and other sundry individuals from the Ring Road

As a resident of Def Col for over four half decades, I was shocked, mortified and finally outraged. I asked myself, can we let this happen our colony; public toilet at the entrance ??????, followed by existing garbage dumps; visitors would be greeted first by dirty toilet stench, so familiar of all public toilets, and then by garbage stench, precisely at the entrances. I decided we mustn't let this happen, and taking matters in hand, I started by speaking to our association members;

1) I called the DCWA President General PS Malhotra, who said he'd "look into it"

2) I called the DCWA Vice President Wg Cdr BN Singh who had "no opinion" on the matter.

3) I called the Hon General Secretary Romela Dhawan, who knew about the toilets and their placement at the entrance, admitted it was done with the consent of DCWA, and said the toilets are being placed at the said location as they "didn't face our houses". I countered by asking, was it appropriate to have public toilets bang at the entrance of our colony? The answer was, as it was at the Ring Road end, it wouldn't affect the residents.

4) I called MCD Councillor Abhishek Dutt, who said he'd get back to me, .... still waiting !!

5) I called AAP MLA Madan Lal, who said since DCWA has given its approval....t but he'd speak to the appropriate authority and get back to me.......still waiting!!

And so on....calls to whoever mattered, but I haven't received an affirmative answer as yet.The effort continues....

Since this a matter that can mar the character of our colony in perpetuity, I would say:"now is the time for all good residents to come to the aid of their colony"

So all good people, please urgently take this matter up by generating awareness amongst neighbours and friends to prevail upon DCWA to scrap this ill conceived project.

rajeevsuri.cbms@gmail.com