Poles Apart

It has been close to a year since work on the gas pipelines began.

It has been close to a year since work on the gas pipelines began. And I dont believe it will be completed anytime soon. It has become something of a divide between us and them, says Hari Nagar resident Aparajit Saha. The work Saha is referring to is supposed to bring in piped gas to Maya Enclave,a colony which is nestled between four parks and cut-off from the dreary hustle of nearby areas.

Hari Nagar is a vast area extending from Mayapuri bus stand to the Clock Tower roundabout a landmark for residents. There are independent homes as well as Delhi Development Authority housing societies. Though catering to low- and mid-income groups,says Harpreet Singh of Perfect Properties,homes here dont come cheap. A two-bedroom apartment with a single bath in an LIG colony,covering an area of close to 1,000 sq ft,would cost close to Rs 60 lakh to purchase. Singh says that an MIG flat built over 1,650 sq ft can go up to Rs 1 crore,but will come with all modern amenities.

When asked about Maya Enclave,Singhs tone changes. You will be very lucky if you can buy a flat there. Most of those who have purchased a flat at Maya Enclave prefer living there rather than giving it out on rent or wait for prices to appreciate before selling it. The societys location and infrastructure make it a prime destination. However,he does not see prices fluctuating in the near future. The colony is close over 15 years old and quite a few residents have been living here from the start. There are no plans of expanding,what little is available is highly priced. For example a three bedroom apartment,spread over 1,800 sq ft,can cost up to Rs 1.5 crore.

Maya Enclave resident Wing Cmdr retd Ashok Mathur says,Nearly 40 per cent of residents are retired officers from the defence forces. That,for me,gives the colony a very protective atmosphere. One of the selling points of the colony is its Peacock Park. There are three blocks,each with its own market place. Mother Dairy booths and vegetable shops function alongside provision shops. A self-sufficient colony,Maya Enclave stands out for its hospitability compared to its surroundings.

Connectivity is good. For those in defence,cantonment,DSOI and the Army Golf Club are a 15-minute drive away. We have the metro line Tilak Nagar close by and the bus service connects our area with Nehru Place,CP,Dwarka and almost all other places of importance, says Mathur. While Hari Nagar residents also have the benefits of their location,lackadaisical initiative on the part of the public works department has worn the sheen of most colonies. Despite having approached several agencies to try and get the garbage collecting in my colony removed,nothing has been done, laments Saha.

Though rental rates at Hari Nagar are cheaper,at Rs 7,000 for a two-bedroom apartment,Singh says it would be wiser to rent a similar home in Maya Enclave. Though it is difficult to find owners willing to rent out flats,the amenities and infrastructure at Maya Enclave are much better. There is not much of a problem with water or electricity,and for those renting apartments,most home owners have power back-up units as well as water storage tanks. While a two-bedroom apartment can be rented for Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 depending on the block,a three-bedroom apartment in block B can be rented for Rs 20,000 says Singh,adding that the block is the best of the three available as the homes here are self financed. This,Singh says,means that home owners have put in a lot of effort to make the apartments welcoming.

Divided by construction but united in their location,Hari Nagar and Maya Enclave together offer home seekers several options.