Slum-Free Panchkula Promise Unfulfilled as Unsanitary Conditions Persist
The promise of a ‘slum-free Panchkula’ remains a distant dream for its residents. Successive governments have vowed to tackle slum conditions, yet the reality on the ground tells a different story. While authorities continue to announce surveys and make plans, no concrete action has been taken to resolve the issues faced by those living in these slum areas.
The slum areas of Panchkula, especially around Mansa Devi Complex, Kharak Mangoli, Gandhi Colony, Indira Colony, and Rajiv Colony, are marked by severe unsanitary conditions. Residents living near these pockets of deprivation face daily challenges caused by dirty drains, stagnant water, and open defecation. One of the most concerning issues is the foul odour from open sewage, which is exacerbated by the presence of stray animals, including pigs, cattle, and dogs.
As Savita, a resident of Rajiv Colony, describes, “We are living a hell-like life. During the rains, water from this dirty drain enters our homes. We’ve repeatedly requested the authorities to at least build a wall around the drain and provide basic amenities.” Many of these colonies have been without a proper sewerage system for years, with the situation worsening during monsoon seasons when water enters the homes of residents.
Usha Rani, the councillor for Ward 7, which includes some of the most neglected colonies, expressed her frustration: “These colonies have been here since 1984, but governments come and go without rehabilitating us. There was a survey conducted in 1994-95 by HUDA (Haryana Urban Development Authority), identifying 2,756 households for one marla plots, but nothing happened. Even schemes in 2009-10 promised flats for us, but we are still waiting for the completion of these promises.”
Despite some progress, such as the allocation of flats for 7,600 slum dwellers in four ‘Ashiana complexes’ in different sectors of Panchkula, many residents still face issues. Leaking roofs and buildings in desperate need of repairs highlight the incomplete rehabilitation process. Mohit Gupta, founder of the citizen initiative Solution Box, also points out the additional social issues arising from the presence of slum areas, such as crime and substance abuse. “The authorities need to ensure that the families who received flats actually leave the slums. Proper rehabilitation is necessary,” he added. Relocation has been a contentious issue as well. In the past, authorities proposed moving slum dwellers to Kharak Mangoli village, but the residents rejected this idea, insisting on staying within the city, where they work in the homes of Panchkula’s more affluent residents.
Local leaders have also weighed in on the issue. MLA Chandermohan acknowledges the challenges of relocating slum dwellers to distant villages, given that many of them depend on city jobs. He stressed that a solution is urgently needed, as this issue was also promised in the Congress party manifesto. Meanwhile, former BJP MLA Gian Chand Gupta, citing an HSVP (Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran) meeting, claimed that the work to provide housing for the slum residents is in the final stages, with plans for shelter in Kharak Mangoli expected to materialise soon. Despite these claims, surveys for many of the colonies have been completed, but no definitive action plan has been put in place yet. This leaves residents uncertain and frustrated as they continue to live in unhygienic and unsafe conditions, far from the clean, developed Panchkula that was promised to them. The issue of slum rehabilitation in Panchkula is a stark reminder of the disconnect between government promises and their actual implementation. While Panchkula may have earned accolades for its planned sectors and clean image, the plight of its slum dwellers remains unresolved. Until the authorities take real action, the dream of a ‘slum-free Panchkula’ will remain just that – a promise unfulfilled.
