Noida: Trees growing inside stormwater drains pose problems for residents

From waterlogging to damaged roads, rains unleash different problems in Delhi NCR. In this particular episode from Noida, fully grown trees in the stormwater drains have become a menace for residents. On July 31, 2022,  an inclined tree from the stormwater drain in sector 51, E block fell on a parked car damaging it. The trees also block the flow of water inside stormwater drains creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Residents allege that more than 8 trees have grown inside the stormwater drains posing a threat to residents.

Members of the RWA of sector 51 allege that no cleaning has taken place in drains for the last 10 years. The RWA members also point out that they have been requesting the Noida Authority Horticulture Department for removing the trees from the drains and for maintaining them since December but the work has not been done till today.

RWA is urging the Authority to clear the blockage due to trees in the rainwater drains so that the rainwater can flow properly and also to provide covers to the drains or provide a proper cleaning of the drains so that it can prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

Sanjeev Kumar, RWA General Secretary, Sector-51, says, "Even after repeated requests to the Authority, the trees have not been removed. The water has become static causing the breeding of insects and mosquitoes. This is a potential health risk for residents."

Sanjeev also informs that officials from the Authority had visited the place in December 2021 and found that the rainwater drains are completely blocked. A contractor from the Authority who came to clean the drains found trees growing, and asked the RWA to seek permission from the horticulture department to remove them. The RWA wrote a letter for the same to the horticulture department but the work is still pending.

On this, Ashish Mukhi, a resident of sector-51 says, "The system of a  planned sector is different from this. Sewage water is flowing through stormwater drains. These drains need to be maintained but we can't see any cleaning being done."

Cityspidey talked with the Deputy Director of Horticulture, Noida Authority, Anand Mohan Singh. He says, "We have received the complaint letter today and we will forward it to the forest department because these are fully grown trees, and the forest department will have to permit the removal of the trees."

Anand also instructs that when these small plants or tree roots start propagating in any drains or buildings, they should be removed at the earliest.