Residents of multiple high-rise societies in Noida Sectors 150 and 151 have decided to stage a protest against the government’s decision to build a dumping yard in Sector 150. The residents, predominantly salaried professionals including journalists, will gather at Bhagat Singh Park in Sector 150 on Saturday to peacefully protest against the government’s proposal.
The residents argue that the construction of the dumping yard in an area surrounded by multiple residential societies would have severe adverse effects on the quality of life in both sectors. They also highlight concerns about the proximity of schools and play schools to the proposed site, fearing the negative impact on children’s health and well-being.
Concerned about this , they have chosen to protest against the move of Noida authority.
Residents of Jaypee Aman located in Sector 151 who are at the forefront of this protest, told the Daily Guardian that the proposed site for the dumping yard is located near several high-rise residential societies, housing nearly one lakh people and setting up a dumpsite in this area will not only pose serious health risks but will also be an eyesore and a source of significant health hazards.
The decision to take out the silent protest was decided by them after getting no clear assurance from the officials at the Noida authority.
According to them they had met Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M and Additional CEO Vandana Tripathi, requesting them to abandon the plan and relocate the dumpsite to another area. However, the residents claimed that they did not receive a favorable response from the officials. The residents said that they will be exploring other avenues including requesting the Prime Minister for his intervention if the authority continues ahead with their proposal to construct the dumpyard.
Recently, a massive fire at a dumpsite at sector 32A of Noida had occurred. Following the incident, the Noida Authority ordered its relocation— to a one-acre vacant plot in Sector 117 which was strongly resisted by the locals. Subsequently the authority decided to shift the same to Sector 150.
It is pertinent to mention that the Noida Authority had already issued a tender to select an agency for disposal of horticulture waste at sector 150.
District Magistrate (DM) of Gautam Buddha Nagar Manish Verma, told the Daily Guardian that he is actively monitoring the situation and has been in discussions with the Noida Authority to find a resolution to the issue raised by the residents including of Jaypee Aman and assured that efforts would be made to identify an alternative location.
“I will also inform officials at the Noida authority about the issue that has been brought to his attention”, he said.
Gautam Buddha Nagar Member of Parliament Mahesh Sharma told the Daily Guardian that he is aware of the concerns raised by the residents of Sectors 150 and 151, who had approached him seeking his intervention. “I have conveyed their grievances to the Noida Authority CEO but have not yet received a response, ” he said while expressing optimism that the authority would soon arrive at a decision that will not negatively impact the residents.
Noida CEO Lokesh was not available for comment and the person who answered his call requested the newspaper to speak to another official in the authority.
Anand Mohan Singh, Director of Horticulture at the Noida Authority, while speaking to this newspaper, stated that the authority was not going to construct a dumping yard at the site but it was used for disposal of horticulture waste. He emphasized that there has been a misunderstanding among the residents, who have mistaken the green waste disposal area for a full-fledged dumping yard. He added that the authorities would make efforts to communicate this clarification to the residents and assure them that the site would not pose any harm to them. However, if residents continue to oppose the project, the matter will be discussed with higher officials of the Noida Authority for further deliberation.