Jeldar Park in Badli village, outer Delhi, has been facing sewage overflow, blocked drains and persistent garbage for several months, with residents blaming a dispute between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the deterioration of the public park.
The sewage problem is visible at the park’s main entrance, where dirty water and sludge have accumulated. An open drain inside the park is also frequently blocked, allowing wastewater to spread through the premises and creating a persistent foul smell. Local residents said the conditions are particularly difficult for people who visit the park for morning and evening walks.
Residents Deepanshi, Manoj and Anil told Jagran that sewage water often collects near the main gate. They said visitors are sometimes forced to cover their faces because of the stench before entering the park. According to residents, the situation worsens during rainfall, when blocked drains allow more dirty water to enter the park.
The dispute centres on responsibility for the drainage and sewage infrastructure. The DDA, which controls the park, said it is responsible for work inside the premises but maintained that the blocked sewer is an MCD matter. The authority said it had written to MCD officials about the problem, but claimed that no action had followed.
The report also said that a sewage vehicle from the Delhi Jal Board had reached the site but returned after the issue was described as related to the DDA. The account illustrates how responsibility for a public-space problem can become divided between agencies, leaving residents without a clear channel for immediate resolution.
Jeldar Park has eight employees posted to it, according to the report. Despite this, the park’s cleaning arrangements remain unsatisfactory. Several dustbins have reportedly broken down, contributing to the accumulation of waste around the park and worsening the condition of the entrance and surrounding areas.
The deterioration affects more than the appearance of the park. Sewage sludge and stagnant wastewater at an entrance used by pedestrians create an unhygienic access route, while the spread of wastewater inside the premises reduces the usable area for residents. The continuing odour also affects people who depend on the park as a nearby open space for walking and recreation.
The issue highlights a recurring administrative problem in urban services: a citizen experiences one failure on the ground, while multiple agencies divide the underlying responsibilities. In this case, the DDA has identified the park as being under its jurisdiction but has attributed the blocked sewer to the MCD. The Jal Board’s reported withdrawal from the site has added another layer to the unresolved complaint.
The report did not indicate a completed repair, a confirmed inter-agency inspection or a public deadline for restoring the park. The immediate next step remains action by the concerned agencies to clear the blocked drainage, remove accumulated sewage and restore basic sanitation at Jeldar Park.
