Mysterious cracks on walls force residents to vacate houses in Narela of Delhi

Mysterious cracks in walls are forcing dozens of residents of Khera Kalan village of Narela area to vacate their houses. While one house has collapsed, many others have been abandoned due to the huge cracks in the walls. The locals claim that the government agencies failed to give any scientifically satisfying answer for the cracks in the walls.

"Its been over two months since the cracks started appearing in the walls. At first, small cracks appear then the gap in the cracks start to widen. It happens so fast that we don't get time to realise the threat. Many a times, the cracks widen with a thunderous sound and forces the occupants to vacate their house," said Ram Kumar Khatri, a local resident.

While one house has completely collapsed, cracks have appeared in nearly 180 houses of the village. Many residents have vacated their house overnight to save their lives. Ganga Devi, 65, a local resident, had vacatesd her house last week after huge cracks appeared during wee hours.

"We didn't get time to even move our household items. We just left the house in a hurry and to prevent the roof from collapsing, we have used bamboos to support it. Now we live in a rented accommodation," says Devi.

Devi is not alone. Dozen others have shifted to either rented accommodation or some relative's place. While Devi's house is 20-25 years old, a newly constructed house met the same fate and the occupants had to vacate it. The house was constructed nearly a year back but cracks started appearing in the house soon. About two months back, the cracks started widening during night and the cracking sound woke up the occupants. They fled from the house leaving their household items behind. Now bamboos and temporary pillars have been put in the house to support the roof.

"The old Khera Kalan village is located at a small hillock. It is an assumption that the hillock is unstable. However, we haven't got any specific scientifically satisfying answer from the government agencies," said Devender Kumar, a local resident.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had also visited the village last month and had assured the residents of some solution. Residents claim that since lands of Delhi are under Lieutenant Governor's jurisdiction, Sisodia had written a letter to him seeking help for them.

"We are planing to meet LG soon. We are living in fear of collapsing roofs and falling walls," said Gaga Devi.