Stench, floods, neglect: What's plaguing Delhi's posh Defence Colony
What's the story
Defence Colony, an elite military neighbourhood in Delhi, is struggling with severe civic neglect, per India Today, which has turned a Partition-era pride symbol into distress for residents. People living there are facing serious health risks and property damage due to the Kushak Nullah open drain, forcing them to live with an unbearable stench and toxic emissions. The problem has become so severe that residents have even been forced to stop using outdoor spaces, such as balconies and gardens.
Health risks
Health concerns and property damage in Defence Colony
The stench and emissions from the drain have also raised serious health concerns among residents. A former Delhi University professor said she fears for security guards who sit outside homes near the drain for long hours. She added, "Poor fellows are going to die young." In fact, the problem goes beyond just smell, as it is damaging property, too. A retired Indian Navy officer said he lost valuable possessions when the drain overflowed and inundated homes in 2024.
Property damage
Residents' struggles with air conditioners and televisions
Residents have also been struggling with the corrosion of air conditioners and televisions within a matter of months due to the emissions. A former medical researcher said half of her 28 ACs stopped working within six months due to these conditions. Another resident, whose house is located near the open drain, lost two expensive televisions in six months due to erosion of copper parts. Despite being among Delhi's highest property tax-paying neighbourhoods, Defence Colony residents feel neglected by civic authorities.
Seeking solutions
Residents' efforts to seek solutions for issues
Meanwhile, residents have sought authorities' intervention but believe the Defence Colony's smaller population within the Kasturba Nagar Assembly Constituency limits its political influence and electoral weight. Some have also approached courts over flood damages. However, Kasturba Nagar MLA Neeraj Basoya has promised to install sewage treatment plants to stop sewage from entering the area. As residents await answers and solutions from authorities, many reminisce about Defence Colony's proud military heritage, now overshadowed by neglect and civic failures.