21-day sit-in, OT coverage force Amanat to act on Shaheen Bagh waterlogging after months of neglect

After months of neglect, a 21-day sit-in, and consistent coverage by The Okhla Times, Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan on Saturday finally stepped in to address the long-pending issue of waterlogging at the Shaheen Bagh graveyard.

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Amanatullah claimed that the problem has now been resolved. In a video released by him, he is seen personally overseeing the work at the site, calling it one of the most pressing issues in Jasola Village. The video also shows several of his supporters present as repair work was underway.

Amanat slams Opposition leaders over Shaheen Bagh

In the same video, Amanatullah criticised former Okhla MLA Asif Mohammad Khan and BJP leader Shehzad Ali, accusing them of politicising the issue instead of working towards a solution.

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The issue came into focus 21 days ago when BJP leader Shehzad Ali, along with his colleagues and local activists, including Javed Khan, Babbur Khan, BJP leader Waqeel Qureshi, and others, began a peaceful sit-in protest. The protest demanded immediate action to address severe waterlogging that had affected the graveyard and surrounding areas. During that period they were trolled by Amanatullah’s supporters for speaking up against the Okhla MLA.

However, a resident pointed out that throughout the 21-day sit-in, no resident from N-Block, one of the areas directly affected by the waterlogging nor the local Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) came forward to speak to the media or officially raise their concerns, claimed one activist.

Since the waterlogging issue surfaced at the Shaheen Bagh graveyard, former Okhla MLA Asif Mohammad Khan has blamed Amanatullah Khan for the situation. He alleged that the MLA was not serious about resolving the problem and was merely playing politics instead of taking concrete action.

Sewer work comes under MLA Amanatullah: Asif

Throughout the controversy, there was confusion over which agency had jurisdiction over the work. Supporters of Amanatullah shifted the blame to Asif’s daughter, Areeba Khan, who is a councillor. However, Asif maintained that the issue fell under the Delhi Jal Board’s jurisdiction as sewer work comes under the MLA’s jurisdiction.

For months residents faced hardship as the road was waterlogged.

Amanatullah insensitive leader, failed to develop Okhla: Shehzad

Shehzad said during this period there were many cases of e-rickshaw turning turtle and people getting hurt but the MLA was not concerned and did nothing to get things fixed this only show that Amanatullah is insensitive leader. “This is his third term and the whole area is in a mess. He has made tall claims in the last election that in six months he will develop the area. Now everything is for you to see.”

Another youth leader Babbur Khan said the MLA has failed to deliver. “Just see in last month, he had released a video claiming that the pulia at Shaheen Bagh 9 number which had collapsed will be made. Even today work has not started.”

The waterlogging problem eventually reached the Delhi High Court, which directed the concerned civic agencies to take necessary steps to address the issue.

“The court is pained to note that despite the inspection of the road, which was conducted by DJB along with other agencies, neither DDA, DJB nor MCD is able to state which agency is maintaining this road,” the bench said.

But on Saturday, Amanatullah turned up at Jasola village to get the things fixed. He said: “For some time now, water from the Jasola drain was overflowing into Shaheen Bagh, causing problems for the people there. The water coming from the STP through the Jasola drain was partly filling up near the graveyard in Shaheen Bagh. I had earlier said that an order had to be issued to remove a pipe that was installed there. At the time when I was supposed to get that pipe removed, a death had occurred nearby, and the family had set up a tent next to the graveyard. The funeral rituals were to be completed on the 12th, due to which I could not proceed at that time.”

Opposition played dirty politics over Shaheen Bagh, I apologise for delay: Amanatullah

“Our entire team and all the workers are present here. I do not want to indulge in a blame game. But I do want to say that the kind of dirty politics and blame game played by some people was completely wrong. Those who were protesting or making baseless allegations are themselves connected to the BJP…Now the water problem will neither arise in Jasola nor in Shaheen Bagh. Those who were saying it would take four months, three months, or five months there is nothing like that… I apologise to those who were affected by this inconvenience.”

The opposition feels that it is too early to jump to any conclusion. “We want Amanatullah to find permanent solution to the issue not superficial.”