Tue Feb 04 20:23:08 UTC 2025: **Delhi’s Northeast Migrants Face Neglect Amidst Assembly Election Buzz**

NEW DELHI, February 5, 2025 – As Delhi gears up for Assembly elections, hundreds of Northeast Indian migrants residing in villages like Humayunpur and Majnu Ka Tila are voicing concerns about neglect by authorities. These migrants, primarily students, office workers, and restaurateurs, cite exorbitant rents, poor amenities, and a lack of accessible forums to address their grievances.

In Humayunpur, nestled within Safdarjung Enclave, residents report paying ₹30,000-₹35,000 for small shops and rooms, with little recourse against rent hikes. They describe inadequate infrastructure, including pothole-ridden roads, poor drainage, and infrequent sanitation services. Similar issues plague Majnu Ka Tila, further compounded by monsoon flooding due to its proximity to the Yamuna River.

Many migrants, who arrived seeking better opportunities, express regret at their choice to settle in Delhi, citing limited job prospects and high living costs. They contrast their experiences with those of friends in other NCR cities like Bengaluru, Noida, and Gurugram. The areas, once attractive due to their location and relatively affordable housing, now struggle with overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure.

Despite contributing to Delhi’s economy through taxes, these migrants, many of whom are non-voters, feel their concerns are overlooked by authorities. The upcoming elections are putting pressure on candidates to address their concerns. The Malviya Nagar constituency (Humayunpur) will see a contest between AAP’s Somnath Bharti, BJP’s Satish Upadhyay, and Congress’s Jitendra Kumar Kochar. Meanwhile, Majnu Ka Tila falls under the Chandni Chowk constituency.

The situation highlights a growing disparity between Delhi’s burgeoning population and the capacity of its infrastructure and governance to meet the needs of all its residents. The migrants’ plight underscores the importance of inclusive policies and responsive governance in a rapidly changing urban landscape.

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