The residents said that instead of listening to their concerns, the officials were busy proving that it is not a dump yard but an SLF site.
Despite the orders given by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to look into the landfill issue, the meeting between Noida Authority officials and the protesters did not bear any fruit on Tuesday. The residents came out of the meeting disappointed as they said that the officials tried their best to convince them about the Sanitary Landfill site.
The residents said that instead of listening to their concerns, the officials were busy proving that it is not a dump yard but an SLF site.
The meeting was conducted in presence of Union Culture and Environment Minister Mahesh Sharma, Noida MLA Pankaj Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Gautam Budh Nagar Ajay Pal Sharma, Noida Authority CEO Alok Tandon and several residents who are against the construction of the landfill.
According to the residents, Noida Authority had ignored the statement made by the Chief Minister during his visit to Ghaziabad on Monday. They said, “Noida Authority ignored the CM’s statement that any landfill or waste to energy plant should be made at a distance of 2 kilometres from any populated area or residential sectors. We are not left with any other choice but to move to court. We will file a case against this landfill soon.”
During the meeting, it was decided by the Noida Authority that a committee of residents and villagers will be constituted. The committee will talk to the Authority on this matter.
However, the protesters said that they are not going to be part of the committee as decided by the Authority.
Sukhveer Pehlawan, President, Kooda Ghar Virodh Sangharsh Samiti, said, "We are not going to support the idea of forming a new committee. We will urge the Authority to talk with everyone concerned rather than forming a committee. The Authority has said that they have not received any formal letter from CM regarding landfill to be built at a distance of more than 2 kilometres from human habitations. But, it is the job of the local representatives to get the letter as we can't do anything about it."
Alok Tandon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer told City Spidey, “There was no outcome in the meeting. We tried to settle the matter but it did not happen. We will talk to the CM in this regard and schedule a meeting again with residents and villagers.”
When Tandon was asked whether they are having an alternative option, he said that he is not looking for any other option.
Smita Nema, a resident of Homes 121, which is located at a distance around of 175 meters from the landfill site, told City Spidey, “The meeting is just the eyewash for the residents. They did not take any decision. They talked about constituting a committee to talk on the issue. If the Noida Authority does not roll back their decision of making landfill in our area then a huge protest will be conducted.”
Anupam Oberoi, a resident of Sector-122, said, “The Noida Authority tried to convince people by showing the blueprints of the project. But, they did not discuss the removal of landfill at Sector-123. Why the Noida Authority did not move this project to Astoli in Greater Noida which is earmarked by the Authority.”
Pankaj Singh, MLA of Noida, said that he is trying to solve this issue and he will also talk to CM on this issue again. “I am hopeful that some outcome will come for the residents,” he added.
