Several days into the door-to-door survey under the first phase of Census 2027in Delhi, enumerators in parts of New Delhi district report low public awareness, non-cooperation, and hostile weather as major obstacles.
After completing mapping and geotagging work, enumerators, all school teachers, began the door-to-door survey visits on April 20 but the start time, between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., is proving punishing, especially as the India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for a heatwave in Delhi-NCR till April 27.
The first phase of the Census, which began on April 16 and is likely to be concluded by May 15, comprises two stages – physical mapping and geotagging of houses, and door-to-door survey. “If we ring the bell of 10 houses, only two respond,” said an enumerator posted in B.K. Dutt Colony.
He said despite afternoon visits, residents are often unavailable or unwilling to open their doors. Besides scheduling, enumerators complained about the absence of basic amenities. A worker covering a slum cluster near Khanna Market said there are no water stations, no place to rest or eat, and stray dogs pose a safety risk in some areas. He also recalled being stopped and photographed by a local guard who had not encountered any other Census official.
