Sloppy work for urban garden polluting air in Noida

NOIDA: Although the Noida Authority declared November to be the month for beautification of the city, sloppy follow-up of its development work for creating a green stretch and an urban garden under the elevated road has become an eyesore for commuters and residents on either side of the road.

The horticulture department of Noida Authority has converted the stretch under the elevated road into a green plantation zone with walls built to hold mud, where small shrubs, bushes and flowering trees are to be planted. However, so far, only a small stretch has been planted with a variety of flowering plants, while the rest has been left unattended. The mud is not levelled and heaps of clay are spewing dust into the air.

According to Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) officials, the mud should be covered with cloth till the time the project is over. Water sprinkling on the mud should also be done.

“Any material lying uncovered is a violation of the NGT norms of construction and development work. Our officers will survey the area on Sunday and enforce some checks. No dust causing material should be left uncovered anywhere, especially not in the middle of the city,” UPPCB Noida regional officer Anil Singh said.

Commenting on the plan of the project, Authority officers said it’ll be a while before the gardening project would be complete. “The green stretch under the elevated road is being made as a rainwater management system by the civil department. The water collecting at the top will be drained into the green area under and would automatically water the plants, while preventing the collected water from being wasted. Work is going on on the drains and we’ve planted s few trees,” deputy director, horticulture, Noida Authority, said.

A similar green patch is also being made by the Noida Authority under the metro track at Sector 18, alongside the divider.

“The solution is to use the rain water on the tracks with a proper drainage system. Flower plants have been planted along the divider, so that would be useful in preventing dust as well,” Mahender Singh said.