Recently, I found myself navigating the bustling streets of Nehru Place in South Delhi, enroute to a building for some urgent work. Manoeuvring through the maze of construction obstacles, haphazardly parked vehicles, and makeshift stalls crowding the sidewalks, I finally arrived at the dilapidated staircase leading to the office on the third floor. As I stepped into the well-maintained workspace, a nagging question lingered in my mind: Are we truly prepared for the complexities of future Mega and Millennium cities?
This pondering was further fuelled by recent tragic incidents that shook the city to its core. From a woman’s saree tragically entangled in the doors of a Metro train at Inderlok Station to an elevator malfunction resulting in injuries at Regenta Hotel Noida, and even a hydraulic lift mishap claiming lives at a Gutka manufacturing unit in Naraina, these incidents underscored the critical need for stringent safety regulations and proper maintenance protocols.
Reflecting on the evolution of Delhi’s development, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to a cinematic narrative. Growing up in the Kishan Ganj Railway Colony amidst the smog-choked alleys of Delhi-6 in the 1960s, our modest quarters, though simple in construction, stood the test of time. In contrast, modern constructions like Nehru Place and other apartments erected by the Delhi Development Authority in later decades appear alarmingly unsafe, lacking in durability and structural integrity.
As time progresses and systems become more sophisticated, we witness alarming incidents like elevator failures in buildings constructed a mere few years ago. The blame game ensues, with fingers pointed at poor construction practices, substandard materials, negligent maintenance, and systemic corruption.
Reasons for Poor Performance
Traditional Practices
India’s ancient building culture prioritized the construction of sturdy and durable structures with minimal maintenance requirements, exemplified by the resilience of old forts and temples. This traditional wisdom emphasized the importance of investing in capital expenses while minimizing recurring costs. In contrast, traditional rural mud houses with thatched roofs were simple enough for occupants to perform periodic maintenance themselves, typically limited to tasks like cleaning and applying traditional lime paint. As a result, the concept of annual maintenance was relatively minimal in these contexts.
Lack of Formal Training
Artisans, including masons, carpenters, painters, and more recently plumbers and electricians, traditionally acquired their skills through lengthy apprenticeships, often lacking in-depth technical knowledge. While proficient in their craft, they may resist technical advice due to pride or a lack of understanding. For instance, during the construction of our house in 1973, I encountered resistance when advising on reinforcement placement. Despite being in the final year of Civil Engineering studies, I faced opposition from a joiner regarding reinforcement strategies. This highlights the need for continuous improvement in the education and understanding of artisans as systems become increasingly sophisticated.
Administrative Oversight
With the rise of the apartment culture in Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) sold plots and flats to numerous owners, leading to the conversion of many houses into builder floors equipped with elevators, air conditioning, fire-fighting systems, and other sophisticated amenities. However, neither the DDA as the regulator nor the private builders seem to have paid sufficient attention to maintenance and sustenance systems. When I visit relatives residing in multistoried apartments just three or four years ago, they often recount tales of elevators getting stuck, water hammer conditions leading to pipe bursts due to improper handling of pressure pumps, and blockages in common pipes leading to seepage in flats, among other issues.
While individual ownership of apartments implies joint responsibility for maintaining common facilities, there is a noticeable lack of regulation and understanding in this regard. In contrast, I noted from my visits to USA that most apartment complexes when owned by large companies lease out units to occupants. The owner companies assume full responsibility for adhering to maintenance regulations and ensuring comfort of the occupants. Likewise, independent houses in USA, typically owned by individuals, are subject to stringent regulations governing any additions or alterations. Maintenance services are usually provided by organized companies or qualified individuals. Despite occasional accidents, such as pipe bursts or elevator malfunctions, these incidents are rare, and even houses more than 100 years old continue to stand strong, underscoring the importance of effective maintenance practices.
Irresponsible Behaviour
A common yet peculiar behaviour observed in elevator users, regardless of education level, is their impatience. They often press the button once to request an elevator but quickly lose patience, resorting to pressing it repeatedly and forcefully, as if scolding the elevator for not responding instantly. Moreover, some individuals refuse to exit the elevator when the prescribed weight limit is exceeded, preferring to wait for the next trip. This relentless button pressing seems like a form of punishment directed at the elevator for making them wait.
In addition to these behaviours, the infrastructure often suffers from vandalism and neglect by users. Missing sound barrier panels on flyovers, vandalized signboards, absent seat covers of toilet seats, stink and broken taps in public toilets are common occurrences, indicative of user irresponsibility. Furthermore, authorities frequently leave roads or sidewalks dug up without restoring them to their original condition, exacerbating maintenance issues.
Lack of Cohesive Action
Administratively, there is a lack of cohesion and collaboration among authorities, leading to fragmented decision-making and planning. Vertical divisions within administrations often hinder effective coordination, with authorities reluctant to come together to develop a joint annual action plan.
Policy Makers’ shortsighted Actions
Policy makers, driven by short-term populist agendas, adopt the policy of “first populate, then plan,” prioritizing political gain over strategic urban development. This approach results in chaos and disruption rather than sustainable growth. Additionally, the free distribution of taxpayers’ money, coupled with the pursuit of personal credit, undermines funding for maintenance of essential infrastructure in mega and millennium cities.
Cumulative Effect
The cumulative effect of irresponsible behaviour by users, maintenance staff, authorities, and policy makers create an environment ripe for chaos and disturbance. To address these challenges, a concerted effort is needed to promote responsible behaviour, improve administrative coordination, and prioritize long-term urban planning over short-term political gains.
The Way Forward
Review of Policy-Reduce Pressure on Delhi
As a matter of policy, I am of the view that further immigration to Delhi that happens primarily for the job opportunity, particularly in the unorganised sectors should be contained. There is a popular saying, “The roads that lead to Delhi also can lead one back to the roots”. For example, the BPOs, that primarily work for multinationals and other companies, using the internet and communication networks, can be shifted out of the Delhi NCR. For this, it is recommended to explore to develop self-contained townships with all modern facilities and infrastructure with Public-Private-Partnerships.
Developing and Regulating a Professional Workforce
To meet the demands of developing and maintaining infrastructure in mega and millennium cities, it’s imperative to elevate the workforce to a standard of professionalism characterized by excellence and pride. This transformation necessitates a departure from traditional apprentice-based training towards meticulous, accredited programs tailored to proficiency levels. A rigorous system of competency testing should precede licensing for specific roles. Additionally, implementing instrumentation for continuous performance monitoring of critical structures like bridges, flyovers, and multi-storeyed complexes is crucial. Regular maintenance teams, overseen by relevant administrations, should be in place, with surprise third-party checks to ensure ongoing efficacy.
Training the Users
Educating facility users is paramount to prevent misuse and vandalism. Information, education, and communication initiatives should instil responsible usage practices, backed by strict punitive measures where necessary. Resident Welfare Associations, equipped with CCTV surveillance, should be empowered to monitor and enforce proper behaviour, issuing warnings and fines to deter irresponsible conduct. Similarly, those caught in acts of vandalism should face stringent penalties, including mandatory labour contributions worth double the damage caused. Regulating taxpayer-funded initiatives is essential, ensuring that infrastructure maintenance takes precedence over gratuitous perks, with taxpayer representation in decision-making processes to uphold this priority.
Conclusion
The blog began by posing the question of whether we are prepared to maintain and sustain Mega and Millennium Cities. The succinct response is, “not yet,” but with the right attitude and concerted efforts from all stakeholders, readiness can be achieved in the near future.
Inspire Positivity 