A person wants to create a home where the work-place, children’s education, healthcare, 24X7 power and water supply, and, recreation are readily available and within easy reach. Along with these basic social and physical infrastructure requirements, he also hopes that the surroundings are safe and secure. With all these aspirations, my family moved to Gurgaon in 1998 after my retirement from serving UNICEF.

Having worked and lived in over 21 countries during my career, I am compelled to say that town planners here have been bureaucrats than subject matter specialists. Town planning has been run by the politicians with an eye on their own or their party’s benefit. The city administration believes that the public can take care of itself – why do I say that? The Bandhwari garbage processing plant broke down 22 months ago after overflowing with filth, and is still awaiting action. For those of you who don’t know, the Bandhwari landfill site was designated to process the garbage for the twin cities of Gurgaon and Faridabad. It has now turned into an eyesore and a serious health hazard for the people.

Residents like us have sunk our capital here. Garbage, insanitary conditions, water- logging, bumper-to-bumper traffic (even coming from the wrong side) and cars jostling for parking space hardly leave any space for pedestrian movement. The very spelling of the word “safety” has vanished in this ‘millennium city’. Chain and mobile phone snatching have become a regular pastime of the 2-wheeler riders and the situation gets worse in the evenings, especially in those blind spots of the city.

DHBVN (Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam), the agency which supplies us electricity is under massive losses (like most of the similar agencies in India). Thirty families among us had to create a registered society with a large, diesel run generator to fill the gaps where the state run service (which has some of the highest electricity rates) fails the citizens. The city is full of scores of PG houses, many unregistered but draw much of the potable water and electrical power. Those among us who build our homes with the life savings run pillar to post seeking a quality-life.

Honestly, all said and done, Clean Bharat is a difficult proposition. Now, we are in the process to cover it all up with what the system calls “Smart City”. Now, my only hope is that “doers” take over and help create a better life for my future generations.

Devinder Chopra, an octogenarian and an alert citizen, living in Gurgaon.