A section of residents from different residential societies on February 18 protested against preparations for an upcoming wedding at an open park in Sector 61, Noida. They claimed the workers setting up tents litter the park and made no attempts to clean the area Once the ceremony was over. Residents said typically, once such a function was over, the park was strewn with leftover food, dirty plates and crushed plastic glasses, giving the park a shabby look.
Residents of Royal Garden Estate, a residential society in the sector, said the park was an eyesore for them as their society faced the park. They complained that the event organisers did not arrange for basic amenities for the workers such as toilets and they were seen urinating in the park.
“Women from our society avoid coming out to their balconies with workers urinating in the open," said RP Singh, a resident of Royal Garden Estate. "Another problem is that our kids, who are studying for their upcoming exams, are unable to concentrate whenever there is a wedding in the park, owing to the blaring music they play till late at night.
Namit Gautam, one of the protestors and president of Prateek Fedora, said the RWA had failed to maintain the Sector's community centre, owing to which, people preferred booking the park for such functions.
When contacted, Dr Vidrendra Singh, president of the RWA, retaliated, and said the ones protesting had themselves organised such functions in the park. "They only have a problem if others get to arrange a function at the park," said Dr Singh. "How can the RWA not allow a wedding in the park when a resident says it's his daughter's marriage and all banquet halls and community centres are booked?"
He informed that it was clearly mentioned in the clauses that the organiser of a function was to bear the cost of any damage to the park while organising the event. "The organiser has complied with the clause and deposited the security money for booking the park," said Dr Singh. "The Authority granted permission as he was unable to find an alternative."
