Back lanes, also termed as service lanes, were envisaged as a problem solver for a bustling city like Delhi. Even today, there are many colonies that do not have back lanes, with houses sharing their back walls. The reason for having back lanes were multifold. They could serve as service lanes for emergency vehicles such as fire brigade to gain easy access. They could also be used to collect garbage through the back doors of houses, as well as for other utilities. However, as is our attitude, we are experts in creating problems out of solutions, and converting every good idea into a disaster. Now, the back lanes are synonymous with dirt, garbage, stink and so on.
Some lanes have been converted into personal fiefdoms of certain “influential” residents, who use them as their personal parking space. Many others are kept locked by well-meaning residents, who don’t realize that restricting the access can be disastrous in case of emergencies.
An entirely different menace is the use of these back lanes by dhobis, chaiwalas and even tailors, who use this space to further their business. The nuisance associated with constant noise and hullabaloo often gets difficult for the residents in the vicinity. Furthermore, once they shut shop for the day, their place is used by antisocial elements to drink at night. It serves as a perfect spot for them, a place to sit free of cost, in relative darkness and away from prying eyes of the law.
In fact, a recent trend is even the autowallahs have started using the back lanes to park their autos, and often play loud music, or speak in high volume, especially in the back lanes behind the markets. Hence, instead of being a wonderful solution to our everyday problems, the back lanes have actually become the biggest problem of our colony.
