Time for GDA to walk the talk
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Time for GDA to walk the talk

Despite promises to solve all problems, GDA has hardly moved a finger to act. Residents will meet the VC on April 11 to seek solutions.

Time for GDA to walk the talk

Residents of Ahinsa Khand II in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, are upset over GDA's inaction on the civic issues of the area.

The Allahabad High Court had ordered GDA to look into Indirapuram's sewage problems. It was a month later, on February 29, when a six-member representative body of FedAOA met Vijay Yadav, vice-chairman of GDA to discuss the issues. The discussion included problems like choked sewers in Ahinsa Khand II, installation of a height barrier on Hindon-Pusta road to bar heavy vehicle movement, and cleaning of rainwater drainage system. The GDA top shot had assured residents that work would commence within a week.

It has been over a month and residents complain that there is hardly any development done by the civic body. Alok Kumar, President of FedAOA told City Spidey that even after assuring immediate solution to problems, GDA has not walked their talk. "It is the same choked drains and sewers, and heavy vehicles still move through the residential area. Residents were initially happy with the VC's assurance but we are now gradually losing faith," added Kumar.

City Spidey spoke to Kaptan Singh, executive engineer, GDA. He said that the authority needs at least three months to execute any new plan. He also said that the GDA was hiring consultants for the sewer issue. "We give a month's time to bidders for expression of interest over any particular work. Such things cannot be done overnight. The process is already in progress," added Singh. 

Speaking over the issue of cleaning rainwater drains he said that regular cleaning is underway but it does take time to cover such a large area. Commenting on the installation of the height barrier on the Hindon-Pusta road, he said the problem will soon be solved. "Local villagers are opposing the installation of the height barrier. But since it will solve a serious problem for residents of Ahinsa Khand II, it will be installed by June 30," confirmed Singh.

Anil Sharma, a resident of Ahinsa Khand II, is a victim of the pollution caused by heavy vehicles. "Residents have been following up with GDA for over a year to instal the height barrier. We are ready to cooperate and support GDA, but the authority should at least consult us over the issue. We are also ready to approach any other authority on behalf of GDA, but we need some kind of communication from them," added Sharma.

City Spidey also spoke to Dayanand Prasad, Officer on Special Duty (GDA), to find out if the villagers were a problem. He said that work was already in progress and the concerned departments are working to sort out the issues. Speaking over the height barrier on Hindon-Pusta road, he said that this problem will also be solved soon. "The GDA is ready to provide all help. We will also arrange for police force in case progress of work is hindered in any way," added Prasad.

Kumar told City Spidey that residents will meet GDA officials on April 11 to clarify the matter. "If we don't get a satisfactory conclusion, we will have to file a contempt petition in the court," added Kumar.