Ritu Ghai talks to a few East Delhi residents and finds out how it has become a hub for almost all age groups Space is a rarity in today's time. And the moment you embark on a journey to find an abode for yourself, your enthusiasm all but fizzles out. A place that comprises all the elements of good living space, quality and good surroundings -is not easy to find. Yet, East Delhi offers you all that and much, much more. This area in Delhi -already attracting a lot of buzz because of the upcoming Commonwealth Games (the Games Village is located here) offers a whole basket of conveniences for its residents. In this era of budget fares, long distances and crime escalation, the society living system finds great favour with those who stay here. Prominent areas here are Mayur Vihar I, II and III, Patparganj (I.P. Extension), Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Vivek Vihar and many more colonies extending up to Dilshad Garden. A large number of Delhiites reside in the old dwellings of Laxmi Nagar, DDA flats in Mayur Vihar, societies in I.P. Extension, kothis in Preet Vihar, Gagan Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Nirman Vihar, Mausam Vihar, etc. and builder floors of the Dilshad Garden area. For markets you have Madhu Vihar, Krishna Nagar, Preet Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, etc. Then comes the space for mall rats in EDM, Cross River mall and V3 S. This area also boasts of one of the largest DDA Yamuna Sports Complex and that wonder in pink sandstone and white marble, the Akshardham Temple. It also has some well known Hospitals in Max Balaji, Guru Teg Bahadur, Deepak Memorial, Shanti Mukund, Arogya Clinic and Hospital and clinics. Educating your children also gets easy as some of the top schools exist here. These include Ryan International, Amity School, St. Mary's, National Victor Public School, DAV schools, Guru Harkishan Public School, Don Bosco, etc. Proximity to Central Delhi and the CBD and its conveniences and infrastructure have pushed up both rental and capital values of properties here. Mayur Vihar phase-III-based realty consultant Amrit Kapoor of Kapoor Associates says "I have seen a constant increase in the number of people coming to me for renting flats here. They are usually youngsters or working class couples who prefer the low rents here. A three-bedroom flat in I.P. Extension is available for Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. You can get a two-bedroom flat between Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 pm and a one-bedroom with terrace for up to Rs 11,000. What makes this place great is the markets, close proximity to CP and Noida and also Metro connectivity. I have also seen people actually buying property here after living on rent for many years." Sandeep Kapoor of Temple Estates and Securities Private Pvt Ltd, who lives in the Technology Apartments of I.P. Extension, with his wife, son and their labrador pup, enjoys moments spend in their society flat. "This place is any day better than South Delhi in terms of prices, congestion and quality living. It makes sense to opt for a place which suits your budget and is close to al major central points," he says. "Patparganj is close to CP and Amity International School in Noida, where my son studies. Our housing society has an abundant supply of electricity, water and power back-up. It has an excellent security system and I am not worried when my son is out playing with his friends. Although the huge density of people makes it a congested area, I rate it better than South Delhi's massive space and parking constraints. In the 11 years that I have lived here, I have seen a tremendous inflow of people from other areas of Delhi. I've been into complete real estate consultancy for the last two years and I feel I should have entered the field years ago as it's vital that educated people enter this field for a better hold on the market. What I don't like is the lack of greenery in this area and hope to see some improvement in the coming years," concludes Sandeep Kapoor. Echoing the sentiments of some senior residents of East Delhi, S.P. Goel, a 65-year-old retired joint secretary from International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, talks about living in Mayur Vihar Phase I. "I bought a flat here in Manu Apartments some 20 years ago and have, since then, enjoyed living here. In the beginning it was a little lonely but the growth has been continuous and quick. Electricity and water is not a problem here. Security is complete and living in a society makes people interact with each other on a regular basis. Now with the Metro at our doorsteps, East Delhi has another feather in its cap. The DND flyover is also a great way to connect to South Delhi in a matter of minutes," says Goel. He, however, points to the menace of the open drain along the Metro line. Being close to the Commonwealth Games Village, this problem needs to be addressed at the earliest. "The moment this is taken care of, I would call East Delhi the best place in transYamuna," remarks Goel Brij Kumar, a 39-year-old advocate in Patiala House, who was born and has grown up in Laxmi Nagar, says he loves the place. "Water, light and other facilities are in plenty and its close proximity to my chambers in Patiala
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