Noida: As Chhath Puja approaches and dedicated spaces are being prepared across the cities for the festivities, residents of Sector 50 have objected to the recent digging of the children’s play area in Sector 43 park for Chhath Puja preparations.They said the festival was earlier celebrated at a vacant spot near the park, and the sudden shift has raised concerns over safety and damage to public infrastructure.Puneet Vasishta, a resident of Godrej Woods Apartments in Sector 43, said, “There are also vacant plots near Som Bazaar that could have been used, and the horticulture department did not have to dig up an established playground just for a two-day ceremony. It will take months for them to restore the park.”Vinod Agarwal, a Sector 50 resident, said the extensive digging had made the park unsuitable for recreation and that the disruption undermined the integrity of public amenities. Alka Aggarwal, a Sector 43 resident, added, “This park was the only space for children of Sadarpur to play. It has been destroyed by the horticulture department now.”Rajiva Singh also wrote to the director of the horticulture department, seeking immediate intervention. “Public parks are essential for community wellness; damaging them for short-term events is counterproductive,” he said. Singh urged the authority to consider alternative, non-destructive arrangements for future events to prevent similar occurrences.As calls for intervention grow, residents hope Noida Authority will step in to ensure the park is restored and children have a safe space to play.Meanwhile, preparations for Chhath Puja are underway at several locations across Noida and Greater Noida. A grand Chhath Mahotsav, centred on folk faith, devotion and the worship of Sun God, will be held from Nov 13 to 16 at Central Park in Sector 75, between Golf City Plot-8 and Panchsheel Pratishtha society.Other locations in Noida where Chhath Puja will be celebrated include Noida Stadium in Sector 21A and sectors 12, 22, 49, 50, 52, 56, 62, 63, 71, 74, 82 and 122. Celebrations are also planned in Greater Noida’s Sector 3, Ek Murti Chowk, Surajpur, Kasna, Kulesara along Hindon river, and sectors Eta 1, XU and Omicron, among other locations.Several high-rise societies in Noida and Greater Noida are also preparing for celebrations.In Ghaziabad, several ghats along Hindon river are being spruced up ahead of the festivities. Selfie points are being set up, while awareness campaigns will highlight the need to avoid plastic and banned polythene at Chhath ghats.
