Residents of Sector 45, Gurgaon, have been waiting 18 years for a market of their own. Currently, they have no choice but to depend on the markets in Kanhai village or travel to other sectors for their daily needs.
The sector's RWA blames Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for the problem. "We have even approached Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar but nothing has been done," said Amir Singh, president of the sector RWA. "HUDA did organise several auctions for the sector's market area, but owing to the high rates quoted by the Authority, none of the bidders showed any interest. HUDA is not even willing to slash the rates."
"If they slash rates, we will be able to have a market of our own and HUDA will also be earning from it," said Surendra Kaushik, general secretary of the RWA. "But HUDA is not ready to compromise. The government should do something about it."
Property expert Ram Niwas also criticised the Authority for not taking the matter seriously. "When the government starts developing a sector, it should always keep a market in mind. The authorities just want to earn more money, so they start auctions for a market at a later stage. The Authority is apathetic to the problems residents face."
Sharad Gupta, a resident of Doordarshan Apartments in Sector 45, said, "We face a lot of problems acquiring our daily needs. We are totally dependent on retail stores such as Reliance Fresh, Big Bazaar and Spencer's. We usually go to a mall on Sohna Road and buy a month's groceries in one go. I request the government to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible."
"Sector 46 has a proper market, with everything from grocery shops to good restaurants," said Ajay Jha, a resident of Antriksh Apartments. "Why should our sector be lacking? It is a basic necessity. I urge the authorities to consider our matter seriously and build a market as soon as possible."
