Journalism of Courage
Located in Sainik Farms area, Neb Sarai police station is one of Delhi’s few police stations located between big farmhouses. But being in a plush area doesn’t help the police station staff much. They lack a basic requirement — water.
The taps at the police station run dry most of time. The staff here are dependent on water tankers of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) just like residents of many areas under the police station limits.
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Attending to calls of petty fights over water is routine, says a police official at Neb Sarai police station. Such calls abound in nearby Sangam Vihar police station too, the official adds. Apart from attending frequent PCR calls over water fights, staff at Neb Sarai police station have to ensure they leave behind a colleague for delivery of water from the tankers. Without this, there is no way to meet the water requirements at the station.
Read | My father had died and my mind was occupied with storing water, says Sangam Vihar resident
“L ike other residents of our area, we are also facing a water crisis and are dependent on the water tankers. We have requested the DJB to supply water every day. The tankers come only twice or thrice a week,” says Vivek Tyagi, SHO of Neb Sarai police station.
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A senior police officer of South district says Neb Sarai police station, which suffers from staff shortage, ends up losing most of its personnel on a daily basis for security arrangement duty at Jor Bagh Karbala.
“With jurisdiction over an area of six sq km and population of around 6 lakh, Neb Sarai police station also covers several unauthorised colonies. The sanctioned strength for the police station is 228, but only 141 police personnel work here. That is one police officer for 2,586 citizens,” the officer adds.
This staff crunch stretches police to the limit when scuffles break out as water tankers arrive, says the officer. Hordes of people crowd the tanker, often leading to pushing and shoving, and at times brawls.
“Mostly the calls we get are for fights when the tankers arrive. This is also because of the irregularity of the tanker service. People are desperate for water and when a tanker finally arrives, scores of people surround it, which results in fights. Every other day our staff are deputed to resolve these fights,” the officer adds.
The situation at Sangam Vihar police station is relatively better, but problems exist. Houses located at a higher level face water woes.
“In Sangam Vihar area, violence erupts at tubewells installed by the DJB. Some residents started distributing water through these tubewells and others objected,” says a senior police officer of southeast district. People often stage demonstrations to highlight the water crisis in Sangam Vihar area.
Like Neb Sarai police station, the Sangam Vihar police station too faces staff shortage and struggles to handle fights over water. “With jurisdiction over an area of 2.5 sq km and population of around 12.5 lakh, Sangam Vihar police station also covers some unauthorised colonies. The sanctioned strength for the police station is 221, but only 170 police personnel work here,” says the officer.
