This Place runs itself
Delhi the New Boom Town , has emerged as the most sought after place for opportunity seekers all over the world. With the highest income per capita in India, it attracts the largest foreign investment and is the largest consumer market. Between 1991 to 1999, Delhi's population has swelled by 43%. It boasts of a population of 14 million today; With 4 million today cars/scooters/ trucks, half a million generators; with 1,50,000 industries Delhi can boast of being an industrial city, a centre for Trade and Commerce and a Tourist spot- half of all the MNCs in the country are Head Quartered in Delhi.
Behind the façade however, Delhi holds in its womb 600,000 Jhuggis Jhoparis. 1/3rd of its populations lives in slums and another 1/3rd in unauthorized unplanned , or non-regularized colonies in non-conforming areas. 80% of its industries (120,000 out of 150,000) are located in non-conforming areas.
The Civil services are stretched to an alarming situation. There are galloping shortages in Water and Power, causing water and power riots as a common daily occurrence. In an affidavit the MCD has declared that its Trunk Sewers (180 KM) are close to collapse.
| Table A |
|
Demand |
Availability |
| Water |
1991 |
(Mid) |
(Mid) |
| |
2001 |
5144 (MW) |
2736 (MW) |
| Power |
1991 |
2600 |
2355 |
| |
2002 |
3500 |
2600 |
| Table B |
Total |
Men |
Women |
1991
(50% variation from 1981) |
94,20,644 |
51,55,512 |
42,65,132 |
1999
(43% variation) |
140,00,000 |
77,00,000 |
63,00,000 |
There is yet another phenomena not being taken notice of. Just examine the census of 1991, presented in Table B.
Delhi's shortfall of women against men is 14 lakhs. The effect of this can be seen in a booming sex trade and sex crimes of indescribable nature, abduction, rape, sodomy and finally the HIV/AIDS invasion.
Delhi has been looted umpteen times. People have been massacred but never been destroyed by external forces. Delhi has a built in destructive mechanism. It simply destroys itself. Described as a 'Dirty City' by the Queen of England on her visit to India, Delhi has harbored plague, dropsy, malaria, tuberculosis and respiratory disease galore. It has the largest generation of garbage, untreated sewerage and runs the largest chemical factory (Sulphuric Acid and Nitric Acid) in its atmosphere.
The distance from Boom to Doom could not be very far, for there often appears to be nothing right in this Boom Town.
We the citizens of Delhi are strange. We first create the ground for disaster and let it grow in front of our eyes and then one day the balloon will go up and like in the past Delhi will go to sleep.
It is quite pertinent to ask how Delhi is governed. Looking at the character of the town with all the features present in a capital, like embassies/ high commissions of all the countries, all the united Nation agencies and the offices of Aid agencies and a very large population of foreign students in Delhi's numerous universities and academic and professional institutions. Apart from this , large numbers of foreigners come to Delhi for health care in Delhi's Five Star hospitals. Over and above Delhi is unique. Apart from that, it is the only capital that has two seats of power. Two Governments- The Central Government and the Government of the National Capital Territory. The Governance of Delhi therefore is highly and not the least chaotic.
Law and order in Delhi is not as simple as elsewhere. 60 days in the year Delhi is on red alert. Due to terrorist threat which otherwise is there around the year, protest and rallies at an average of 10 per day bring the traffic to a grounding halt.