‘Garbage, DJs at city park causing public nuisance’

A Municipal community park in a posh South Delhi area has become a source of worry to residents there, who have alleged that “indisposed garbage” and noise pollution from events and “late night DJ parties” held in it, are causing “public nuisance regularly”. The park located at P-Block in Jangpura Extension is used for public functions by both local residents and of other areas, and is situated hardly 200 m from a police post.

Rekha Bhardwaj, who lives on the first floor of an apartment that overlooks the park, is among those harried a lot.

“People hold marriage receptions and other functions, and garbage left from them are mostly left undisposed and late night DJ parties are becoming a regular source of annoyance,” she said.

“My mother is very old and has heart complications, but because of DJs parties, we have become very worried. It is also disturbing students like my child in their studying,” another local resident said, and further alleged that “some DJ parties even go on till post-midnight.” A police official when contacted, however, claimed, “As per the law, we don’t allow playing of DJs after 11 pm, and if people don’t listen, we seize their music equipment. We don’t allow it beyond 11 pm in any case.”

Some residents also corroborated the version, saying, “After complaints, police come and stops playing of DJs”. However, some alleged, “in a few cases they still go on.” The area falls under the Kasturba Nagar ward of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), and beside the P-Block park, community events like ‘mata ka jagran’ (religious congregation) are held at the nearby ‘Dussera Ground’. Kasturba Nagar ward councillor Ravi Kalsi admits that the P-block Park has become a “worry” for people, and says he is “contemplating finding an alternative open community venue near the Defence Colony flyover, away from residential areas.” 

“These wedding functions leave a trail of garbage, and the SDMC workers come and clean up the place only in the morning. Sometimes, if there are holidays, the garbage would lie here for days until the next working day,” alleges Rajendra, a washerman, who has his makeshift shop bordering the park. 

As per Municipal norms, parks can be booked for functions online, and clients have to deposit a security fee of Rs 500.

“The responsibility of cleaning the booked premises lies with the client. We can get the area cleaned till working hours, after which we clean them the next day,” a senior SDMC official said.