Walk through the narrow lanes of Badkhal village in Faridabad and you’ll notice two things right away: the signs of neglect in its overflowing drains, broken roads, and missing facilities, and the deep resilience of its people who have been waiting for decades for promises to turn into action.
Badkhal Village isn’t just another village, it’s the namesake of an Assembly constituency and part of Faridabad’s Smart City mission. Yet, for the 45,000 people living here, daily life is marked more by frustration than by the grand development schemes attached to its name.
The Sewerage Crisis: Seven Years and Counting
The issue everyone talks about first is the sewerage system, or rather, the lack of it.
Back in 2018, a ₹149 crore sewer project was launched with much fanfare. Today, in 2025, the work is still unfinished. About 10,000 homes have septic tanks, but the rest continue to release sewage into open drains. The stench hangs in the air, a constant reminder of promises left halfway.
Sarasmal, a lifelong resident, put it bluntly:
“The waste is dumped unscientifically. It stinks, it spreads filth, and it’s a danger to our health. But we have no choice.”
For Shakil, the frustration has built up over years:
“It’s been the same story since 2018. Deadlines come, politicians come, but the drains remain filthy.”
Children play near open drains, mosquitoes breed freely, and residents have learned to live with a system that never arrived.
Smart City Promises vs Village Reality
What makes this neglect sting even more is Badkhal Village’s place in Faridabad’s Smart City project. The city has received over ₹2,600 crore since 2017. Around the Badkhal Village Lake area, crores have been poured into beautification and revival projects.
But just a short distance away in the village, people live without basic facilities.
Bir Singh, who has seen many elections come and go, said with weary irony:
“Every five years, we’re told we’ll get modern infrastructure. Every time, it ends with just words. We’re part of a Smart City only on paper.”
Life Without Amenities
Badkhal Village doesn’t have a health centre, a dispensary, or even a community park. Families must travel outside the village for the most basic needs.
When waterlogging takes over the streets during monsoons, residents often pool money from their own pockets to pump it out.
Shakil recalled with a wry smile:
“We paid from our own pocket to clear the water. Tell me, isn’t that the government’s job? Yet, here we are.”
It’s not just inconvenience—it’s a daily reminder of being left out of the development story.
Demolitions and Displacement
On top of neglect, many residents have faced direct displacement.
In December 2022, around 100 houses were demolished after being declared illegal constructions on forest land. Families who had lived there for two decades suddenly found themselves on the streets.
“We’ve lived here for 20 years, and now they call it illegal,” said Mohammed Ishaq, who lost his home. “Where do we go now?”
The blows kept coming. In April 2025, a 50-year-old mosque in Jamai Colony was demolished, guarded by heavy police presence. The demolition left the community shaken.
Mushtaq, a long-time resident, said softly:
“It wasn’t just a mosque. It was part of our history, our faith. Why destroy it before the court even decided?”
These incidents have deepened the feeling among residents that they are more vulnerable than supported in the face of development drives.
A New MLA, Familiar Promises
In late 2024, Badkhal Village got a new MLA, Dhanesh Adlakha – who came with strong promises of change. He pledged to fix the sewerage system, improve waste management, and bring basic facilities within 100 days.
“I will focus on civic amenities and bring in Resident Welfare Associations to make sure the system works,” he told villagers in his first meetings.
People are hopeful but cautious. They’ve heard these words before. For them, trust will only come when they see real pipes laid, real drains cleared, and real centres built.
The Development Paradox
Badkhal Village represents a paradox seen across India’s fast-growing cities: lakes revived, parks beautified, and “smart” projects launched, while basic needs like clean drains, housing security, and health facilities remain unmet.
For villagers, this contrast is painful. They see crores spent just a few kilometres away, while their streets remain flooded with sewage.
Resilience Amid Neglect
Yet, through all this, the people of Badkhal Village endure with dignity. They pool resources, help each other in crises, and show up at political meetings to demand answers. Their resilience is as much a part of the story as the neglect they face.
As one resident put it:
“We don’t ask for big things. Just drains, a health centre, and clean streets. Give us that, and we’ll feel part of the Smart City too.”
Conclusion
Badkhal Village is more than a name on a political map. It’s a living, breathing community whose struggles highlight the gap between vision and reality in India’s urban development.
Its people don’t want another grand promise or flashy project. They want the dignity of clean surroundings, secure homes, and access to basic services. Until that happens, the Smart City dream will remain just that a dream, not a lived reality for Badkhal Village’s residents.
