Ghaziabad: Despite being a crucial public facility which is used frequently for social events, the community centre at Vijay Nagar is in deplorable condition. Ahead of Navratri, residents of the area questioned its poor upkeep and asked how the annual Ramlila could be staged at the centre in its current condition.When TOI visited the centre in Chanakya Chowk, Sector 9, it saw untended garbage left in the corridor and a cow resting nearby. Paint was peeling off the building’s facade and the toilets were extremely unclean.“The filthy toilets are a serious concern for all users but more so for the children and the elderly. They are a potential public health hazard and can cause serious long-term illnesses among users,” said Ravi Kumar, a resident of the area. Because of its lack of maintenance, the structure is slowly starting to lose its popularity among the locals, he said.Pradeep Gupta, a regular visitor to the area, has written to Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC), demanding that the community centre be inspected and then renovated. “It is highly inconvenient that the community centre, which so many citizens rely on a daily basis, is so poorly maintained,” he said.
When TOI visited the spot, it founded untended garbage lying in the corridors of the building
In his letter, he asked for a comprehensive cleaning and sanitisation revamp for the washrooms and other common areas, upgradation of the water supply system and a detailed assessment to identify renovations, including painting the exterior of the building as well as improving the lighting system. He also asked that a permanent system of the centre’s maintenance and beautification be established and followed.The sentiments are echoed by other residents. “It is inappropriate to neglect a building that serves so many and contributes to the local economy,” said Sandeep Kumar, another resident of the area.A GMC response is awaited on the matter.
