Rajinder Nagar residents bear the brunt of poor infra
On July 27, 2024, as heavy rains poured down, the streets of Rajinder Nagar, a bustling area in central Delhi, quickly turned into rivers. At around 7 pm, rainwater flooded into the basement of a popular civil service coaching centre, where hundreds of students were studying. The basement, which housed an unlicensed library, was soon overwhelmed by the strong currents. Within minutes, three students tragically drowned.
Rajinder Nagar, once a quiet residential area, has transformed over the years into a hub for government job aspirants. The area, with its maze of coaching institutes and student-friendly spots, has become congested and plagued with persistent issues—severe waterlogging, power outages, limited water supply, and a chronic parking shortage.
Vikram, who grew up in Rajinder Nagar but now lives in London, recalls the area’s flooding problems. “I was born here and lived in Rajinder Nagar until 1988. Back then, flooding was a problem, with manhole covers flying off due to water pressure. Sadly, nothing has improved. In fact, it’s only gotten worse,” he told The Tribune.
Paramjeet Singh, a street vendor , echoed similar frustration. "I’ve been coming here for over a decade, and the waterlogging has always been an issue. This area is low-lying, and despite the tragedy last year, nothing seems to change,” he said.
The area cannot even tolerate a light drizzle. Even this week, rainfall for a mere ten minutes left the streets muddy, a sign that nothing has been done to address the waterlogging problem.
Local shopkeeper JK Sharma, who has run his store in Old Rajinder Nagar for over 15 years, offered a sobering view. He said, “The flooding has worsened over the last few years. This area collects all the water from Shankar Nagar and New Rajinder Nagar. The construction near the Metro station has raised those roads, making it impossible for water to flow.”
The flood-prone area is now also suffering from traffic and parking congestion. Shubham, a longtime resident of 40 years, says, “As the number of students has increased, so has the number of buildings and traffic. The lanes have narrowed, and parking has become a nightmare. People park in front of our homes, making it impossible for us to move.”
Once a haven for Punjabi refugees, Rajinder Nagar is now a mix of urban and rural spaces. The urban side has become a central coaching hub, while the rural side—particularly the areas around Naraina and Sat Nagar—suffers from even worse infrastructure problems: narrow lanes, water shortages, broken roads, and poorly maintained drains.
Rajdhani, a resident from Naraina, is frustrated. “The park is dry, the nala behind us has never been cleaned, and despite numerous complaints, nothing changes.” Another resident, Sitara, adds, “The electricity cuts are frequent, and power outages can last for hours.”
