Curation Team
NOIDA: Most residents of the 7x and 100x sectors in Noida were granted possession of their apartments almost a decade ago. They moved to the satellite town to avoid paying a lump sum EMI on home loans, and expected that the sector would develop over time. But some basic infrastructure developments never happened.
Ten years down the line, sectors such as 74 to 79 and 115 to 121 still lack adequate local transport, roads, petrol pumps, designated commercial spaces, and parks for children. Limited ATMs and a lack of sufficient banks add to the woes of the 3 lakh people residing in the area.
“Though the situation has improved over the years with e-rickshaws now plying from nearest metro stations at Sector 50, 52, 63 and 76, which are about 4 and 6 km away respectively, the area still lacks basic amenities like a dedicated market, commercial space, govt hospital or clinic. There are only two dairy booths for over half a dozen high-rises in the area,” said Nikhil Singhal, president of Noida Highrise Federation 100x Sectors.
The 7x sector includes over 30 societies and high-rise apartment buildings, such as Ajnara Grand Heritage in Sector 74, Prateek Wisteria in Sector 77, Assotech Windsor Court, Sunshine Helios, and Mahagun Moderne in Sector 78, Ashiana Homes, and Antriksh Golf City in Sector 79.
On the other hand, the 100x sector comprises almost a dozen complexes, including Amrapali Zodiac, Prateek Laurel, RG Residency in Sector 120, Homes 121 in Sector 121, Amrapali Platinum, Aranya, and Eldeco in Sector 119, as well as neighbouring Sectors 115, 116, and 117.
Dust pollution and bad roads make the list of the unaddressed issues longer.
“There are about 46 societies in and around 7x sectors together comprising around 1.5 to 2 lakh population. Although most of the families have their own cars, the nearest petrol pump is about 7km away,” said Amit Gupta, a former AOA president.
Gupta adds that a commercial plot lying vacant in Sector 76 was to be utilised for a dedicated market, community centre, etc., but no work has been done by the Noida Authority on it so far. “Whatever development has happened, they have been done by the builders within high-rises,” he added.
Moreover, the crucial road that connects Sector 78 to the Noida-Greater Noida expressway faces daily traffic snarls that tailback during peak hours. “Roads are broken and in need of repair. This adds to the traffic woes, which have become a daily ordeal. With all-around construction, dust pollution has been a major health hazard, especially for senior citizens and children,” said Dhananjay Kumar Singh, a resident of Ajnara Heritage, Sector 74.
Similar issues are faced by nearly one lakh residents of 100x sectors. The area has a burgeoning population and comprises over half a dozen high-rises and plotted houses along with neighbouring villages like Sorkha, Parthala, Sarfabad, etc.
The area is largely home to working professionals, mostly in the IT sectors, as well as public sector undertakings (PSUs) like NTPC.
In the absence of a dedicated waste collection point, garbage is dumped on green belts and in open spaces around the sectors. Singhal says that the unauthorised vendors with their markets cropping up in the abandoned open spaces create a nuisance in the absence of a dedicated vending zone. “The water supply is also insufficient, as there are not enough borewells in case of Ganga water failure. There are no footpaths or sitting areas. There is a lack of CCTVs on main roads, police patrolling, and no police booths to check the increase in crime rate,” he said.
Sector 117, on the other hand, has been demanding a park for children for the past five years. A vacant plot of land in the middle of the sector, which belongs to Noida Authority, was suggested by the Sector RWA to be developed into a park.
Instead, it was used as a waste dumping ground.
While the Authority stopped dumping waste in the plot following massive protests, residents still await a community centre, parks, banks, market, and other amenities for which they have to travel to nearby sectors like 50 and 51.
Kosinder Yadav, RWA President of Sector 117, said, “The children are forced to play on the roads, posing a threat of accidents, yet the Noida Authority hasn’t bothered to redress the matter.”
Although the authority has done some development work, like selecting vending areas, a significant amount of work is required in newer sectors. An Authority response is awaited on the matter.
