Residents across several upscale sectors in Noida are confronting a dual environmental crisis, where the existing woes of air pollution are now compounded by severe sanitation failures. Blocked sewer lines in sectors 120, 99, 100, 119, and 51 have led to foul wastewater overflowing onto roads, flooding basements of high-rise buildings, and submerging public parks and green belts.
Official Complaints and Cause of Blockage
The Noida Authority's office has been inundated with complaints from distressed residents, highlighting not just immense inconvenience but also looming public health dangers. Taking formal action, Nikhil Singhal, President of the Noida Highrise Federation 100x, wrote a detailed letter on Tuesday to Authority CEO Lokesh M and Water & Sewer Department GM RP Singh.
In his communication, Singhal pinpointed the trouble to a clogged sewer line connecting Amrapali Zodiac Society in Sector 120 with Gaur Grandeur and Eldeco Aamantran in Sector 119. He attributed the blockage to heavy stones, debris, and sand being dumped into the lines following recent repair works in the vicinity. This obstruction has caused drains to back up and overflow extensively.
Resident Outcry and Health Concerns
Despite repeated follow-ups with junior engineers in the water department, residents report a frustrating lack of corrective measures. "It's a major problem; our lines are overflowing, and nothing has been done for days. Sewer water is overflowing on the road and basement of highrises in the area," Singhal stated, capturing the community's anger.
The frustration is echoed by Pawan Yadav, RWA President of Century Apartments in Sector 100. He revealed that roads and parks around his society have been drowning in sewage and muck for over a month. "It's untenable to ask residents for feedback on cleanliness when the environment is in such disarray," Yadav emphasized, pointing to the severe impact of such pollution on residents' health.
Another resident, Ashok Sharma from Kendriya Vihar in Sector 51, highlighted the direct threats from the stagnant, dirty water. "With children unable to play in parks and the risk of infections rising due to foul odours and mosquitoes, it feels impractical to promote cleanliness," Sharma lamented. The situation has effectively turned community spaces into breeding grounds for disease and discomfort.
Authority's Response and Lingering Problems
Facing mounting pressure, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M has assured that the clogged drains will be cleaned soon. However, this promise offers little solace to residents who have endured the hazardous conditions for weeks. The incident underscores a critical gap in oversight and maintenance following civic repair work, where debris disposal protocols appear to have been blatantly ignored.
The ongoing sewage crisis in these Noida sectors presents a stark contradiction to urban cleanliness drives and poses a significant public health challenge. It calls for immediate, effective action from the authorities and a more accountable system to prevent such infrastructural failures in the future.
