Forgotten land

The country's first industrial area Okhla Phase III has few food joints to cater to the thousands of people who work here, courtesy government neglect

At a time when work hours can extend beyond single digit figures, employees want a steady supply of good food and refreshment in between long schedules. But the country's first industrial area, Okhla phase III, has failed to cater to a large number of executives who work in many famous companies which have their offices in the area. The region doesn't have prominent eateries, bars and restaurants.


Food for thought: A dhaba at Okhla phase III. Pic/Subhash Barolia

With no healthy options available, even doctors are spotted having food at the roadside eateries. Dr Rachna Singh, who was spotted grabbing a quickie snack at a dhaba, said: "We do not have any option except eating at this dhaba. It's unhygienic but the samosas served here taste good. So usually I eat samosas to settle hunger."

Hunger pangs
Another friend accompanying her, Dr Anu Kundra, complained that their office cafeteria doesn't serve meals and they have to haunt the roadside food joints is spite of knowing the health risks. She said, "One cannot survive on just tea and coffee during the long work hours. Though typhoid is rampant at this time of the year, we are compelled to eat out."

Mayank Jaiswal, an employee of Sonata Softwares, said there are a few roadside dhabas near his office in Okhala phase III. Arvind Singh, his colleague, said: "I have been working here for the past eighteen months. We have to go to Nehru Place or Kalkaji whenever we want to eat something good and it is not always feasible to do the same."

The local councillor, Dharambir Singh, when contacted said: "I have not come across any complaint regarding this. There are enough places in the area for people to hang out."u00a0A senior Delhi government official said Okhla Phase III did not have any new allotment of land since 1964-65. He said, "Nothing can be done to improve the situation unless commercial land is allotted in this area. Phase III is an industrial zone and commercial complexes cannot be opened without authorisation by the government."

The official said most industries in Okhla are knowledge-based industries. The government is yet to recognise these industries. "Only after these industries are listed under the under the Industry sector, the Delhi State Industrial And Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DSIIDC) will be able to provide other facilities like eateries, parking area, grounds etc. The city government has recently got a nod from the Ministry of Urban Development to increase Floor Area Ratio (FAR). So, the development would happen soon," added the official.u00a0
The MCD spokesperson said: "It is true that development of industrial areas is not up to the mark in Delhi. The Delhi government wants to take over these areas and are not providing funds. Unless we are provided with funds, we can not undertake development."

The joint commissioner (industries) C Arvind, said: "When this area was developed, the responsibility of maintenance was given to the MCD.u00a0 Now, as per the government order, the area has to come back to DSIIDC so that they can implement the public private partnership program which will constitute the redevelopment of this area."

Quick facts
>>u00a0Okhla Industrial Estate, an industrial suburb in South Delhi, was established by National Small Industries Corporation to encourage small industries. This was country's first industrial zone.
>> The estate spreads over 110 acres (0.45 sq km). Forty sheds and 73 plots were developed and allotted in the area during 1964-65.
>> Construction work began in 1952 and finished in 1958, soon making it tantamount with the growth of small scale industries in this region.
>> A host of MNCs, call centres, showrooms and media groups have their office in this region.