Out of sequence,these house numbers are a puzzle to solve

A visit to the areas reveals that the numbering is not in a proper sequence. While one house may be located in one locality,the next number could be present in another area. While this can prove to be a nightmare for outsiders,the area residents claim that even they cannot remember where a particular number is located despite having resided in the place for years.

Officials claim that the problem started when landowners who owned large tracts of land sold it in plots of different sizes. The numbers were issued as and when the plots were bought and not based on their location. The same system of numbering has been continuing since then.

Gurcharan Dass Kala,councillor of ward 25 that constitutes parts of Manimajra,says,“Finding a house in parts of Manimajra — whether it is Subhash Nagar,Pipliwala Town or any other part — is very difficult. A lot of people come to me trying to locate addresses. The issue has been raised many times with the officials,but no action has been taken. There is a need to streamline the numbering of houses.”

At Burail village,the residents were issued new numbers after the village became part of the Municipal Corporation. The residents have written both the old and new numbers outside their houses. Even these numbers lack a proper sequence. Rinku,an area resident,says,“I have been residing here for some time,but it is difficult to locate houses. Adjoining a lane with house numbers 300 and 200 is a lane where the numbers are starting from 1,300.”

Former councillor of Burail Vijay Rana says this is the case with most villages. The house numbers are not present in a proper sequence. Earlier,the postman used to be from Burail,and this helped him distribute letters. For some plots,the residents have themselves sub-divided a plot between relatives. So the same plot has different numbers.

Rajiv Gupta,Joint Commissioner,Municipal Corporation,says,“Renumbering of the houses would be a difficult task as it involves different departments. The residents would have to get all their documents including ration cards and voter I-cards made again. The problem arises in those areas where the lal dora was present. Attempts are now being made to ensure that those who are to make a new construction get the numbers in a proper sequence.”