Says MCF commissioner R K Khullar: ``We are taking up redevelopment work vigorously by involving people as stakeholders. It's too early to say we are satisfied with the progress, but we do have a few achievements.''

Residents and i n d u s t r i a l i s t s agree. ``Earlier crossings were congested and roads were narrow but the corporation has widened them,'' said R P Nagpal, president of Sector 16 RWA. However, he adds that much more needs to be done to create better living conditions.

``Roads get waterlogged and sewerage spills onto the road when it rains. The population is increasing but the infrastructure is yet to be upgraded. You can beautify the city but what about infrastructure related problems?'' he asks.

The sewer network apparently covers only 50% of the city population -- indicating that a large quantum of the muck flows into open drains and finally into the Yamuna, untreated. Mixing of sewer and stormwater is very common.

Also, municipal solid waste is dumped at five dumping yards without treatment. Faridabad generates on an average 480 tonnes of solid waste daily. The development plan of Faridabad    mentions that by 2031 the city will require 147 acres for landfill sites to cater to the needs of its population.

``We have dentified 59 acres on the Faridabad-Gurgaon road for solid waste disposal and treatment are waiting for clearance from the ministry of environment and forests,'' says a corporation official.

Adding to the existing problems are the large number of heavy vehicles transporting raw material and finished goods. They are major contributors to air pollution. In the absence of a proper public transport system, people are forced to rely on private transport and polluting three-wheelers.

Many like T D Jetwani, president of Confederation of RWAs, say that though the civic body has taken several steps, including repairing of roads and digging tubewells to improve water supply, redevelopment in certain areas remain difficult. ``The MCF now has the funds and we expect things to improve. But how they are going to deal with, for instance, the bad quality of water? A waste management system is also not in place,'' says Jetwani.

Corporation chief Khullar says they are trying to fix the problems. ``We have installed one RO plant and we are selling water at a very nominal price. We intend to install 90 more plants,'' he adds.

The residents, however, have a long list. Faridabad needs comprehensive plans for sewerage, stormwater disposal, roads, parking and beautification of traffic junctions, they say.

WHY MAKING HEADLINES

Close to South Delhi
NH-2 & broad-gauge rail line run parallel on two sides of the city.
Upcoming Metro and elevated corridor on NH-2 to cross Badarpur border
Ample green area
Low property prices in comparison to Delhi, Gurgaon & Noida
Rs 2,200 earmarked for infrastructure.