Neglected, DLF 3 roads lie in disrepair

GURUGRAM DLF 3 residents are aggrieved with the developer and the municipal corporation for failing to maintain roads in the area. Roads in U, V and other blocks have developed cracks and big craters, impeding pedestrian and traffic movement.



According to residents, the roads in the area have been in a bad shape for several years. “Since I shifted here in 2005, DLF has repaired the roads only once in 2008 over the past 13 years. The roads are in a pathetic condition and the drains have been encroached upon, which results in waterlogging after light showers. We have approached both the developer and MCG on the issue but they keep passing the buck. DLF charges residents maintenance fees of Rs 1,500 per 120 square metres on a quarterly basis but it has not taken any measures to repair roads,” said Sanjeev Raina, a resident.

Residents also complained against the lack of facilities. “There are no sidewalks for pedestrians and no designated spaces for parking vehicles. The DLF management has lost its interest in older colonies such as ours. There are lots of major problems such as power outages and erratic water supply which should be resolved by DLF. The drains are also not cleaned regularly, which leads to waterlogging,” said Poonam, another resident.

According to residents, the road gets further damaged after every monsoon and when approached, DLF simply dabs a cement patch on the broken parts without looking for a long-term solution. Poonam added, “For years, we have been using these roads, which are riddled with potholes. Sometimes, DLF uses inferior-quality construction material to do some patchwork but that does not hold up.”

TOI spoke to RS Rathi, councillor of ward number 34, who said that currently, the authorities were laying underground power lines as part of the smart grid project, and hence the roads had been dug up. “Recently, construction and other digging work are going on across DLF 3, which has resulted in the bad condition of roads. DLF has given in writing that it would repair roads after this work ends,” he said. On the other hand, a DLF official said that encroachments had come up on 60 square yards of land in the area. Some people were taking up new plots without permissions and laying construction material on the roads. “DLF cannot do anything about this. We can only inform the government about what is going on,” said the official.

Last year too, residents had complained about bad roads and DLF had agreed to fix the same. The colony is yet to be transferred to MCG as certain inadequacies have been pointed out which need to be resolved before a formal takeover. “DLF 3 looks like a failed story. Unauthorised constructions are rampant. People stack construction material on roads without official checks and balances. It is said to be an upscale residential area but when you enter, you see the mess we are reeling under,” said Satish, a resident.