2 years on, villages incorporated in Faridabad MC await infra upgrades

The Municipal Corporation, Faridabad (MCF), is yet to launch a comprehensive project to develop and upgrade the civic infrastructure in 24 villages, which become a part of the civic body around two years ago.

It is alleged that the civic conditions in the rural areas have deteriorated despite its inclusion in the MC. The inclusion of these villages in civic limits increased the number of MC wards to 46.

The responsibility of maintaining civic facilities was also transferred to the Faridabad MC as the panchayats, which had been looking after this job, got dissolved at the time of transfer, according to sources in the civic body.

“Problems related to sanitation, drinking water supply, drainage, garbage and sewage disposal have not been addressed in the villages, which became a part of the MCF civic wards,” says Jaswant Yadav, a resident of Chandawali village.

He said it had become the first village to have CCTV coverage and streetlights many years ago, but its condition turned worse due to the poor upkeep after its transfer to the urban civic body.

Residents claim that the Municipal Corporation, which was expected to undertake a project for renovation of basic amenities, was yet to provide them any relief.

“Despite the transfer of funds to the tune of several hundred crore rupees from village panchayats to the MC over two years ago, the authorities have failed to complete development works in these areas,” says Jeetu of Sahupura village. He said almost all streets witness the problem of clogged drains and lack of streetlights.

Gopal Yadav of Malerna village said civic amenities had degraded further as there was no one to take care of basic facilities like drinking water, streetlights, sewage and garbage disposal.

“Conditions in our village were far better when it came under panchayats,” rue Dheeraj Yadav of Mirzapur village. He said the residents were facing hardships due to the lack of clean drinking water and damaged streets.

Naresh Shastri, president, Haryana Municipal Employees Union, said although the incorporated villages having a population of 2.70 lakh require over 250 civic employees, they only had around 60 workers.

Birender Kardam, Chief Engineer, Faridabad MC, said complaints about civic issues were being taken care of in a planned manner.