Faridabad's Tilpat village faces persistent development challenges despite election promises

Sep 18, 2024

Faridabad (Haryana) [India], September 18 : As the Haryana elections approach and political parties canvass every corner of the villages seeking votes, there are still some areas that remain in dire need of development in exchange for their support.
Before the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna requested five villages, but Duryodhana refused to give them. These five villages were Panipat, Sonipat, Shripat, Bagpat, and Tilaprasth, which is now known as Tilpat.
Tilpat village is located in Faridabad and is over 5,000 years old. Locals say that this village has a long history and was the same village that Krishna requested.
After Krishna's request, the village was abandoned, but it later prospered when the saint Surdas arrived, whose samadhi is also there. Following his arrival, the village developed, and people from nearby areas visit it. The famous Shri Ballabh Ji Temple is also located here, attracting visitors.
This village, rich in traditions, has been adopted by Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar. However, despite this, conditions remain poor. Although a road was constructed, it is prone to flooding due to inadequate drainage. There is no hospital, only a dispensary staffed by an ASHA worker instead of a doctor.
In case of emergencies, residents have to travel far for treatment. Educational facilities for children are lacking; there is only one government school with a dilapidated building. Politicians visit during elections, seek blessings, and then leave, but the village remains significantly underdeveloped.
One woman mentioned that the road in front of her house has been broken for two months, and there are cracks in her home with no one to address these issues. She expressed a lack of faith in politicians and placed her trust only in PM Modi.

Speaking to ANI, local residents highlighted severe deficiencies in basic infrastructure and services.
"We lack essential amenities such as education, road connectivity, sewage, and public transport," one resident reported. "Our only healthcare option is a dispensary with an ASHA worker. For even minor injuries, we have to rely on distant private hospitals. Our village remains stagnant in terms of development," said a local resident.

Sudama, a third resident, added, "The village lacks city-like facilities. Pits dug for infrastructure have damaged homes, and animals have died from electrocution. We hope Prime Minister Modi can address these issues and wish these concerns were brought to his attention."

Bharat Ram Sharma, another local, criticized the lack of progress, stating, "Leaders visit us during elections, but the sewage system is completely out of order, and many roads are in poor condition. They make promises but nothing changes. Everything here is mismanaged."