Drains choked, brave sewage pools to get across roads in Greater Noida

Noida: Months have passed since the monsoon retreated but foul water and muck have been finding their way onto the internal sector roads in Greater Noida. Small pools of stagnant water in parks and green belts are not just an eyesore but the stench has put the lives of residents at risk.Residents have blamed the decades-old drainage and sewer infrastructure for the frequent sewer overflow. In the last few months, there have been at least three instances where foul water has seeped into the houses in Sector Alpha 1.National Green Tribunal (NGT) had formed a joint committee tasked with restricting the flow of sewage in open or in stormwater drains in Greater Noida. The tribunal has ordered the committee, comprising representatives of UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and higher officials of Greater Noida Development Authority (GNIDA), to take measures to address the issue within 10 weeks and file an action-taken report at least a week before the next hearing date.However, little action is evident on the ground, say residents. The RWA general secretary of Sector Alpha 2 in Greater Noida, NP Singh, said, "We have complained about this problem for the past 18 months but the Greater Noida Authority officials are not doing anything," He said that the sector houses nearly 10,000 residents and the Authority expects them to carry out the repairs. Blocks F and H are the worst affected.Over the past three weeks, Sector Delta 2 resident Alok Nagar has observed pools of water accumulating in the I block park. "No one can walk in this park. The stench is unbearable for nearby residents," Nagar said. "Clean water and air are our fundamental rights. If the situation does not improve, we might have to protest.""The sewage overflow on internal roads is not just an inconvenience; it is becoming a serious hazard," remarked Harinder Bhati, a resident of Sector Beta 1.Sheetal Baisoya is a housewife, living in C-466 of Sector Beta 1. But stepping out for groceries has also turned into an uphill task for her. Every time she wants to step out on the road, she has to tread on the puddle of sewage outside her gate.Senior manager of the sewer department of the Authority, told TOI, "In Sector Beta 1, there is a problem of a choked sewer in the E block, which is being cleaned. It will be done in two days."Meanwhile, the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA) general secretary KK Jain wrote to Noida CEO Lokesh M on Monday, requesting safe drinking water and the repair of old sewer lines. "Sewer-related problems are still serious in Noida, especially in the older sectors," said Jain, who added that the affected areas included Sectors 39, 37, 47, 51, 19, 82 and 47.Jain urged the CEO to replace damaged lines on priority. He also requested that regular and mandatory testing of water in each water supply tank should be conducted during the morning and evening supply hours. CEO Lokesh M actions.