Latest news with #NoidaAuthority
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
GMDA must meet at least once a month, not once or twice a year, says Rao Inderjit Singh
Gurgaon: GMDA was established to emulate the Noida Authority model as a centralised body that would steer the city's development, Union minister and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh said at TOI's #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall on Saturday. "Despite the intention of creating a one-window powerhouse, the existence of both the municipal corporation and GMDA, according to Singh, resulted in a lack of clarity regarding their respective areas of influence and administration. Conceived as a Noida Authority-like body, GMDA doesn't function as one. Formed in 2018, the development authority is now seven years old, so there's been enough time to steer it in the direction of its purpose. But the state govt has not quite been able to take it there. One of the main criticisms of GMDA is that its execution is slow and its contributions to the city's infrastructure improvements not very apparent. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Singh said when GMDA was formed, its CEO was allowed to sanction only projects up to Rs 50 lakh. Only recently, it was enhanced to Rs 2.5 crore. "The power of the MCG house (to sanction projects) was earlier Rs 2 crore only and now it has become Rs 10 crore. If you have a project which is over Rs 10 crore, it has to go to the minister, and if it is over Rs 25 crore, to the high-powered purchase committee sitting in Chandigarh. Now, this is a remote-controlled administrative setup with which I am not really very happy," said Singh, referring to the slowness of project execution in Gurgaon. In Noida, he added, Noida Authority operates through a single-window system. But Gurgaon is hobbled by multiple agencies, creating a complex administrative structure. Noida manages licences for residential colonies and plotted areas, while in Gurgaon, developers independently acquire land from farmers, aggregate it and then seek licences from the town and country planning department, said the minister, pointing out structural flaws in Gurgaon's governance. "Persistent flooding in Gurgaon stems from developers incorporating perennial waterways into their projects and constructing buildings upon them. With these natural water channels obstructed, water seeks alternative paths, resulting in widespread flooding throughout the city," he said. "Steps are being taken to establish a unified authority for issuing licences. There are concerns that the next developing city might face similar challenges as Gurgaon. It is crucial to avoid replicating the mistakes made in Gurgaon's development process in future urban expansion projects," he added. Singh also pointed out that GMDA has a meeting once a year or perhaps twice a year, which is not enough. "I mean, Gurgaon is generating so many problems every day. This is something that I'm trying to ask the chief minister to do. The GMDA meeting should not be held six-monthly. It should at least be held once a month. Even if the chief minister, who is the head of GMDA, cannot come, at least the officers should all convene once a month here in Gurgaon," said Singh.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Boards, spring posts: Road in Setor 60 set to get safety upgrades
Noida: Noida Authority has announced improvements for the Master Plan 2 (MP-2) road connecting Sector 16 with Sector 60. The enhancement plan includes installation of directional boards, spring posts, and cantilever signage to boost safety on this crucial route that links multiple sectors of Noida and facilitates vehicular movement between Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Officials said the move aims to enhance safety, streamline traffic, and improve the commuter experience on this heavily used corridor. The Authority has floated a tender to hire an agency for the work. An official said, "Several signboards along the MP-2 road have worn out over time. We are replacing them with new, more visible boards to guide traffic. These boards help commuters navigate efficiently, especially in high-traffic zones." You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Alongside signages, spring posts will also be installed to help guide vehicles and prevent damage during minor collisions. Commonly used in lane marking or curve control, spring posts alert and direct drivers in critical areas without obstructing the flow of traffic. Additionally, cantilever boards will be installed at strategic locations. These boards are large overhead signs supported by horizontal arms that stretch over the road offering high visibility and essential navigational information. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo The MP-2 road plays a vital role in Noida's internal traffic movement. It links major residential and commercial areas, passing through or near sectors 18, 25A, 27, 31, 34, 52, 59, and 60. Running parallel to MP-2 is the Noida Elevated Road, which begins at Sector 18 near Rajnigandha Chowk and stretches to Sector 60. This elevated corridor is a high-speed alternative for commuters and has helped in reducing pressure on MP-2 by offering a smooth, signal-free ride.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
As plaster chunks fall at Noida-built flats, close calls & maintenance question
Noida: Goswami family of house number 6A of Block 2 at the Noida Authority-owned LIG flats in Sector 99 was enjoying a quiet Sunday on June 22 when the plaster from a flat above collapsed on their balcony and the railings came off. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although no one was injured, it was the second such incident in the society built just 16 years ago in six months. On Jan 23, a chunk of plaster fell on the car of Pradeep Saxena, a resident of Block L, shattering its roof, window and shield. On July 15, the wall plaster came off the building in Block 16. Over the last few months, there have been several similar incidents where residents narrowly escaped injury due to plaster falls, causing widespread fear within the community. Despite numerous complaints, both written and oral, addressed to the Authority, residents claim no action has been taken. The society RWA said anyone could have been injured and demands accountability, along with immediate and permanent repairs from the civic body. Narottam Sharma, RWA president of Sector 99 LIG Flats, said, "Noida Authority is taking this issue very casually. Approximately 70 flats' leases have already been cancelled, and they are now under the charge of the authority. These flats are locked and in a dilapidated condition. So, they are responsible for any injury or accident caused by these plaster falls from their flats." He demanded immediate inspections of all blocks within 48 hours and the prompt removal of any dangling plaster. The sentiment was echoed by Mohinder Singh, RWA general secretary of Sector 40, who criticised the authority for its lack of oversight. "They appear to be in sleep mode. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There is an urgent need to improve working conditions and accountability from the top down." Although the majority of owners have renovated the Janta flats of F block with additional construction, Singh said that they have outlived their age and are not safe for living. "Noida Authority should build multi-storeyed flats with open spaces so that owners can live safely with modern amenities," said Singh. There were several incidents of plaster collapse in older complexes located in sectors 99, 40, 71, 105, and 119, as well. DGM (Noida Authority) Vijay Rawal told TOI that as per the lease deed, the flat owners have to rectify these types of issues. "Once the authority hands over the building or a flat, its maintenance becomes the responsibility of the residents or AOA or concerned RWA after one year of handover. Just like any other builder apartments, any flats made by the authority are under authority supervision for only one year post-handover. After that, the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all such buildings or flats is the responsibility of the concerned area RWA residents or AOA," said Rawal. Meanwhile, Noida Authority introduced a redevelopment policy for old residential buildings, offering homeowners larger apartments with at least a 15% increase in carpet area and free new flats, alongside temporary housing or rent during reconstruction on June 14. This policy is applicable to buildings that are over 30 years old or those declared structurally unsafe. Redevelopment requires consent from 70% of leasehold residents.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Clean sweep: Noida makes it to Super League in swachh survey
Noida: Noida has made it to the Super Swachh League (SSL), a category introduced this year to recognise 23 cities for consistently securing top spot in sanitation efforts over the previous three rankings of Swachh Survekshan. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the award on Thursday at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The cities that have featured in SSL were recognised and grouped based on population size. Noida was placed in the 3-10 lakh population category. To be eligible for SSL, a city must have ranked among the top three in at least two of the Swachh Survekshan editions conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The top three cities in each population category will be eligible to enter the SSL in subsequent years. To retain its position in the league, a city must score at least 85% in Swachh Survekshan. Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M said extensive public feedback and deep-cleaning efforts by sanitation workers and its staffers had helped it achieve the distinction. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida "We cleaned drain to drain, ensured no untreated water entered our drains, banned single-use plastic and took strict action wherever necessary," the CEO said. The city's rankings have improved steadily over the last seven years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Premium Dubai Homes Now Available—Direct from Dubai's top developer Binghatti Developers FZE Contact Us Undo From being ranked 324th in 2018 in the 3-10 lakh population category of the Swachh survey, the city climbed to the 150th spot in 2019, 25th in 2020, 4th in 2021 and 5th in 2022. In 2023, the city was declared the cleanest in UP and secured the 2nd rank among 342 cities with a population of 3-10 lakh. Nationally, it was placed 14th out of 446 cities in the 1-10 lakh population bracket. According to Noida Authority officials, in 2023, Noida scored 100% in several categories, including dumpsite remediation and cleanliness of residential areas, markets, water bodies, and public toilets. It achieved 99% score in door-to-door collection and 74% in source segregation. Noida Authority officials said that between 2018 and 2024, Noida undertook several initiatives aimed at bringing about behavioural change among residents and improving waste management systems across the city. Separate dustbins for wet and dry waste were made mandatory at various public and commercial establishments. To enhance decentralised waste management, several local processing units were established. Additionally, bulk waste generators (BWGs) were directed to manage their own waste. A senior official said, "An Integrated Command and Control Centre has been set up to streamline the collection, transportation, and treatment of waste in the city. Mechanical sweeping of roads is carried out using high-tech machines." To phase out single-use plastic, Noida Authority has been conducting regular public awareness campaigns under the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (RRR) initiative. Bamboo and mild steel bar screens have been installed in all drains across the city to remove and dispose of floating waste. This process is conducted regularly to ensure that no floating debris remains visible, officials added. All sewage generated in Noida is treated at sewage treatment plants (STPs), and the treated water is reused for watering parks, green belts, gardens, construction activities, and for dust suppression under GRAP norms. The efforts paid off as Noida secured water+ certification and 5-star garbage-free city status in 2024—becoming the only city in UP to receive these two top honours for three consecutive years since 2022—and made it to the elite league of cities in 2024. While water+ certification signifies a city's achievement in effectively managing wastewater and ensuring its safe and sustainable reuse, 5-star garbage-free city status signifies that a city has achieved a high level of cleanliness and effective solid waste management practices. "SSL has been created to give other cities a chance to perform well. Otherwise, the top-ranking cities would continue to receive awards year after year, and others would not get the opportunity. We will continue our efforts to remain in this league," Lokesh M said. Officially launched in Jan 2025 during the unveiling of the Swachh Survekshan 2024 toolkit by Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar, SSL initially had 12 cities including Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, NDMC, Chandigarh and Noida, across various population categories. Eleven more cities were added to the list later. Noida was included in the 3–10 lakh population category along with Chandigarh. However, Swachh rankings this year cannot be compared with previous years as in 2023, the cities were ranked under two categories—with more than 1 lakh and less than 1 lakh populations. But in the current edition, there are five categories: population of more than 10 lakh, 3-10 lakh, 50,000-3 lakh, 20,000-50,000 and less than 20,000.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
These roads in Noida could test your driving skills
Noida: Weeks of monsoon showers have once again laid bare Noida's poor road infrastructure, with key stretches across market hubs, transit points, and residential areas developing craters and rough patches. From the busy Botanical Garden bus stand to Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Atta Peer near Sector 16 Metro station, roads are now pockmarked with potholes, making daily travel treacherous for commuters. One of the worst-affected areas is a speed breaker near Botanical Garden, which has broken apart after recent rains, putting to test the driving skills of residents who have paid lakhs to purchase homes in the city. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida On average, a 1,000 square feet home in Noida costs anywhere between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1 crore, excluding registration costs. But the infrastructure in the city of highrises has not been to match up. "The potholes not just slow down traffic but also increase the risk of accidents," said Gaurav Kumar, a regular commuter from Sector 37 to Knowledge Park. "Repair work is either delayed or shoddy." Patches on the approach road near Okhla Bird Sanctuary, a key gateway for traffic entering Noida from Delhi, has been washed way. Stagnate rainwater on this stretch, worsen the wear and tear caused by heavy traffic from areas like Kalindi Kunj and Okhla. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo Further down in central Noida, the road between Atta Peer and Sector 16 Metro station has developed multiple cracks and patches. No repairs mean they are left to deteriorate with each downpour. Experts say poor drainage and lack of long-term planning are at the root of the problem. "Water seeps into the road and weakens the asphalt," said Anurag Kulshrestha of TRAX, a road safety NGO. "Without proper drainage, rainwater lingers and breaks down the road's surface." Noida Authority told TOI that repairs were on the way. "We are identifying damaged spots and will begin patchwork soon," deputy general manager (civil) Vijay Rawal said.
