What was meant to ease traffic and ensure smooth movement has allegedly turned into a private parking zone. Residents of Delta-1 Sector in Greater Noida have accused a builder of illegally occupying a public service road, triggering safety concerns and daily inconvenience for commuters.
The issue came to the forefront after members of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), led by president Pramod Bhati, submitted a detailed memorandum to the Greater Noida Authority, demanding immediate removal of the encroachment and restoration of the road for public use.
“Wrong-Side Driving Has Become Routine”
According to the RWA, the builder—who was allotted land near the Wipro roundabout—has allegedly converted a portion of the adjoining service road into a parking space. As a result, vehicles are forced to take the wrong side, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during peak hours.
“Children, senior citizens, and two-wheeler riders are the worst affected. What should have been a safe service lane has become a daily danger zone,” said a resident.
Civic Issues Add to Residents’ Frustration
The delegation also highlighted several long-pending civic issues plaguing Delta-1 Sector. These include non-functional streetlights, sewer blockages, poorly maintained parks, and incomplete green belt development. Residents demanded open gyms in parks, proper walking tracks, boundary walls around green areas, and urgent repairs to civic infrastructure.
RWA members said repeated complaints in the past failed to yield concrete action, forcing residents to escalate the matter formally.
Authority Assures Action
Officials of the Greater Noida Authority assured the residents that the matter would be taken seriously. They directed concerned departments to conduct inspections and initiate action if the encroachment is found to be illegal. Authority officials also promised better coordination with the RWA to resolve sector-level problems in a time-bound manner.
Residents Warn of Escalation
Despite the assurance, residents remain cautious. “We are not opposing development, but public roads cannot be sacrificed for private benefit. If the service road is not cleared soon, we will be compelled to intensify our protest,” an RWA representative warned.
The controversy has once again spotlighted the growing conflict between rapid real estate development and protection of public infrastructure in Greater Noida—raising a crucial question: who safeguards common spaces when cities expand at breakneck speed?
