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Delhi ranked as the #Nine best city for Business
- Survey by Business Today
 Delhi
has been described as the place where 'The Rot
Continues...' The description is not really surprising
considering the city's steady decline. Business
Today survey of 1996 ranked it at number three
which slipped to number seven in 1998 and now in 2001
stands at number nine. This is despite the business
that continues to pour in, thanks to Gurgaon. So where
exactly does the fault lie? Blame points at the bad
infrastructure in the city which has made every day
life difficult for most Delhiites.
Water shortage, power cuts, traffic jams and parking
difficulties are the major problems that plague Delhi.
Though Delhi is based by the river Yamuna, its water
demands are satisfied by tapping the groundwater
and by the water released by the state of Haryana.
The shortage of 20 million gallons per day has worsened
given the 35-40 per cent leakage. What's unfair is
the uneven distribution where the privileged who live
in the Lutyen's Zone are ensured around-the clock
water supply whereas the rest of the populace has
to do with a few hours of water supply a day.
 Power
shortage is still a huge problem with every day
load-shedding though the Delhi Vidyut Board (CVB)
claims that power supply has been better this year
(2001). Besides the quality of power isn't all too
great with heavy voltage fluctuations. Traffic
is another of the few devils that haunt Delhi.
The city is huge and travelling around does take time.
But with the heavy traffic - the number of vehicles
on the roads are 35 lakh today - and lack of civic
discipline, the situation gets worse. Traffic jams
are the order of the day and if one does not encounter
it at least once while travelling it really is a minor
miracle. The public transport system isn't
all too great either and therefore it really isn't
a surprise that Delhi has more personal vehicles than
Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata put together. Naturally
congestion, pollution, parking problems and fuel wastage
become inevitable.
 Pollution
has eased in Delhi and it is a little cleaner
thanks to the Supreme Court coming down heavily on
pollution. But Delhi has far to go if it wants to
escape its infamous tag of being the smog capital
of the country. While most of these problems do exist
in other cities as well, it is exaggerated in Delhi
making every day life difficult.
Most of the congestion in Delhi has been caused by
the unevenly distributed office areas. But hopes are
high that the satellite cities of Gurgaon and
Noida will ease the pressure on the capital.
These towns have been especially created to cater
to the industries and businesses of Delhi. They do
form better alternatives with lesser pollution, better
quality and cheaper office accommodation, better housing
facilities and above-average entertainment facilities.
Though many multinationals have shifted their bases
to these spacious and well laid out cities, many other
businesses are yet to take up the offer. Meanwhile
Delhi languishes in heavy congestion.
 Despite
all the problems that plague Delhi, it still has its
advantages. For starters the career opportunities
in Delhi are far greater than those in other cities.
The many businesses that are based here ensure good
career prospects, which is taken up by the many students
who come annually to seek jobs in the city. Delhi
has good connectivity nationally and internationally
thanks to its international airport. The quality of
education is good as well with nationally ranked
schools and colleges. Real estate for residential
purpose is cheaper than that of Mumbai which is the
city's biggest plus point.
Well, hopes are high that once the flyovers (which
are being constructed) are completed, power and water
problems are solved, Delhi will become a far better
city to live in and do business with.
Source: Business Today
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9:21:41 PM 
