Gurugram: RWA protests government’s plan to set up isolation centres

GURUGRAM: The district administration’s plan to set up localised isolation centres in residential areas in association with residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) has been met with resistance by the residents. Residents of Gurugram 21 (G21) Vatika India Next in Sector 83 have written to the deputy commissioner against the establishment of an isolation centre in the society’s EWS flats.
According to residents, a single resident from the society approached the district administration without consultation with others. They claimed that even the senior management of the developer had not approved the move.
“One resident from our society started circulating messages on social media that he received permission from the administration to set up an isolation centre in the EWS flats. None of the other residents were consulted before sending out such communications,” Pradip Rahi, executive member of Vatika G21 RWA, said.
The messages, accessed by TOI, mentioned that the RWA of the Block-K of the society was planning to set up an isolation centre. It further stated that all Covid-positive patients in the society will be put under round-the-clock supervision by the RWA and medical teams. If they require more medical care, they will be shifted to AIIMS, Jhajjar or any other private hospital for further treatment. The “organiser” also sought a donation of Rs 1,500 from all the residents. “There are more than 800 families living in the vicinity of the EWS building, and the decision, if implemented, will impact them all. This will increase the risk of the virus spreading in the area. If the requirement for an isolation centre is urgent, there are many other vacant buildings in new sectors, which can be used instead,” said Amit Mishra, another resident.
Officials from the administration didn’t respond to TOI’s queries.
Last week, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had asked officials to look for empty buildings along the Dwarka Expressway, Southern Peripheral Road and Sohna Road to set up facilities for Covid-19 patients.
The district administration, too, said in an official release on Tuesday that it is looking forward to receiving support from RWAs in setting up isolation centres within their societies.