Hindustan Times 12.08.2010
P.C. Singhal, a resident of Indirapuram is mulling over selling his flat at a private society in Ghaziabad and moving to either Noida or Greater Noida. A large part of his housing society, like the basement and parking lots have remained submerged in sewage for months now. Singhal's is not the only example. Many high-rises in Indirapuram face the same pathetic situation and pump out sewage into sewer-lines.
Areas near posh markets, eating-joints and roads witness much the same scenario.
Ranjan Kumar, franchisee-holder of a popular food-joint near the Windsor Park high-rise says his sales have gone down by 60 percent, like other retailers', due to the filthy conditions.
"The customers, especially women, prefer to stay away from the market due to the sewage spill," Kumar said.
"There is a marked contrast between ground realities and proposed infrastructure facilities. Civic agencies should work collectively to resolve the issues, otherwise the problem would further escalate," said Sudipto Paul of Windsor Park society.
Mohan Sangwan from the Indirapuram Residents' Welfare Association confederation said the sewage-infrastructure had crumbled due to growing population.
"To make matters worse, there are no garbage-disposal facilities and sewage gets dumped onto vacant plots, nearby roads or sewage-lines," said Sangwan.
The pathetic conditions in Indirapuram have made many residents change their perception about the most upmarket, well-planned housing destination in the National Capital Region (NCR) - as projected by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).
While GDA officials estimate that only 20 percent of the total population (around six lakh) has moved in, the RWAs feel that infrastructure problems in the area are a big worry.
As per official GDA estimates, around 1.25 lakh housing-units were developed either by the agency itself or by private developers.
Housing units range anywhere between Rs 35 lakh and Rs 1 crore and have witnessed a major vertical expansion.
The problem
Like Indirapuram, 11 other residential colonies of trans-Hindon areas, like Vaishali, Vasundhara, Kaushambi, Delta Colonies, Shalimar Garden and others, connect to the three main sewerage-lines, which culminate in the 48 million litres a day (MLD) capacity main pumping station (MPS) facility, maintained by the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation. These 11 colonies have 15 Sewage Pumping Stations (SPS), which force out sewage to three main lines. On the other hand, Indirapuram's sewage lines are directly connected to the three main lines. In case of a power-failure or MPS facility shutdown, the sewage inside the three main lines flows ack into Indirapuram. The problem, residents say, has been persisting for months.
Action taken:
A fortnight ago, Ghaziabad District Magistrate Hridesh Kumar constituted a three-member committee, which to look into the problem in Indirapuram. GDA has also paid Rs 50 lakh to GMC for MPS maintenance, after residents protested and appraised the administration.
Proposed solutions
By GDA
GMC to ensure full working capacity for the MPS facility during peak hours. Proper power-backup and diesel-generator facilities be ensured to keep the MPS functioning.
MPS technical equipments — like motors, pumps to be serviced and maintained properly to ensure proper working conditions.
By GMC
In all the blocks of Ahimsa-Khand, Shakti-Khand, Vaibhav-Khand, Gyan-Khand, Niti-Khand and others in Indirapuram, proper SPS to be installed.
An exclusive MPS facility should come up for Indirapuram, which is to be connected to the under-construction 56 MLD capacity STP facility developed by the GDA.
