Delhi polls: Keen contest on the cards in Greater Kailash

New Delhi: A keen tussle is on the cards between Congress and BJP in Greater Kailash constituency where pent up anger among residents has forced Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to announce dismantling of the controversial Bus Rapid Transit corridor which has been blamed for traffic woes in the area.

Besides traffic congestion, car-parking, water-logging, sanitation, cleanliness, sewage and expansion of commercial activities in residential areas are some other issues of concern. The BJP has fielded incumbent MLA Vijay Kumar Malhotra`s son Ajay while Congress has given ticket to Virender Kasana and Aam Admi Party has nominated Saurabh Bhardwaj. People in the area have been demanding scrapping of the BRT corridor since its inception in 2008 though Delhi Government had strongly defended the project. Now both Congress and BJP have promised to scrap the corridor between Ambedkar Nagar and Delhi Gate. While the villages suffer from problems of rising water bills and poor roads and other basic amenities, the posh colonies of the area have different battles to wage. Rajiv Kakria a resident of Greater Kailash emphasises on the role of governance in addressing the issues affecting the people. "With the relaxation of masterplan and encouraging people to build from bungalows to four-storey buildings, no corresponding thought has been given to drainage water and parks. In areas like GK, the focus shifts from water, electricity and rising onion prices to problems of infrastructure, security and parking," Kakria said. In the upscale colonies, security is an important issue for residents. The unrestricted movement of trucks in most localities causes security concerns. The instances of mobile-phone and chain snatching are also a worry for the residents of Greater Kailash. Burgeoning population has put a strain on the resources available to people. The rise in population has resulted in buildings being constructed to fourth floors. Existing infrastructure like schools, parks and parking facilities fall grossly short of what should be provided in most areas of the constituency, said many residents. Lack of parking space is another major issue for residents in almost all areas of Greater Kailash. Be it the urban villages or the posh colonies, cars can be seen parked in cramped spaces. The main contest is likely to be between BJP and Congress, though the Aam Aadmi Party has gained many supporters cutting across caste and party lines. A total of six candidates are in the fray in the constituency.