Delhi Residents Trapped in "Virtual Prison" After Homes Sealed for School Construction

Local officials have promised residents will soon be provided with a main gate for access.

New Delhi:

Residents of a Delhi locality have found themselves living in what they describe as a "virtual prison" after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed multiple homes with brick walls to make way for school construction in the neighboring Patel Nagar area.

The disturbing scene reveals bricked-up doorways, walls blocking narrow alleys, and families who must peer down from rooftops to see outside their community. Daily life for these residents has effectively ground to a halt.

While the civic authorities maintain this action is part of necessary urban planning, residents insist they received no warning before finding their main entrances sealed off.

"This is worse than Tihar Jail. We are trapped inside. There is no space to breathe or move. How will the children go to school?" said Umed Sharma, a 29-year resident of Prem Nagar, when speaking to NDTV.

The impact affects everyone from school children to elderly residents. With doorways to lanes and houses blocked, people are forced to climb across rooftops or squeeze through narrow gaps simply to leave their homes.

Residents express serious concern about safety issues as well. "Even ambulances can't come in. And imagine, if someone dies, there isn't even space to take out the body with dignity," lamented another resident.

Local officials have responded to the crisis, with local councillor Runakshi Sharma stating, "We are in constant touch with the higher authorities. They have assured that residents will soon be provided proper access with a gate."

It remains unclear whether the brick walls will be removed or when a proper gate will be installed to restore normal access for the residents. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.