Metropolis Now

Deep in the depths of India's ancient capital, political termites are eating away at the foundations of what was once a wondrous city. Delhi was made possible by the creativity of men whose genius matched the vision and sensitivity of those who asked them to design it. Its splendid heritage structures, built over millennia, owe much toIndia's larger cultural landscape, shaped by people who gravitated to the subcontinent from distant lands. Few other cities are recipients of such inspired inputs from all over the world.

Yet the tragedy of Delhi is that while it owes its greatness to men who were lured to India by its natural wealth and other riches, and who conquered and colonised us but left their lasting cultural imprint on this noble city, our own people are now bent on destroying it. Out of rapaciousness and greed, and because they yearn for a miserable sinecure in the next municipal, state or central elections. The historicity of this unique city of ancient lineage matters little to them. What matters are their pitiable ambitions for which they are prepared to sell theirnation's priceless heritage.

The ultimate tragedy is that this rot, this infamy, runs through most ministers, legislators, political hangers-on, bureaucrats and hustlers, utterly unconcerned aboutDelhi's heritage. These men preside over preparations of Master Plans and such without understanding a thing about them, except what can be made out of them. Plans which would suffocate Delhi beyond endurance, erase its historicity, urban grace, and livability, and block forever views of its beautiful skyline.

Could this ever have happened if even one or two of the cabinet ministers, parliamentarians or officials had shown some sensitivity towards cultural continuity? Or if they had the backbone and moral courage to raise their voices against officially-sanctioned vandalism and a megalomaniacal view of this great city? No civilised society would allow it, but can we still claim to be one?

I do not think so. We lost our right to claim a slot among civilised nations from the day we consigned almost half ourcapital's population to live in filthy slums with no access to clean drinking water, sewage facilities, health cover, or even access to food. Over 45 percent ofDelhi's population of 13 million live in jhuggis, illegal colonies or sleep on pavements.

One estimate places urban India's slum population-- out of a total population of 1.1billion -- at around 40 million, while other reports say it is as high as 78 million. Despite this unfolding human tragedy around us we are spending astronomical sums on hosting fanciful events. Like the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in 2010. Let us look at just one component of these. A road link is proposed to connect Nizamuddin Bridge to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (with a linking tunnel under the Millennium Park, Delhi Zoo and Sunder Nursery),endangering-- in fact savaging -- along the way great historical monuments likeHumayun's Tomb, Nizamuddin Dargah, Lodi Gardens, Safdarjung's Tomb and many others. The Lodi Road will carry over 5,000 vehicles per hour to make all this happen. Aside from the toll this project will take of a cherished historical zone, it will necessitate cutting hundreds of stately old trees, and will cost over Rs 700crores.

Now judge the importance of this outlay as against the needs of Delhi's slum and pavement dwellers. AsDelhi's distinguished historian, Dr Narayani Gupta aptly observed, it "is laughable to say the least [that] for 2 days ceremonial functions, a historic area going back 800 years is to bevandalised." I would suggest that'deplorable' might be a more appropriate word than ‘laughable'.