Noida: Residents of Alpha 1 in Greater Noida have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of Ashok Vatika, saying the once-popular neighbourhood park has fallen into neglect over the last two years. They cited heaps of garbage, broken benches, poor lighting and inadequate security, adding that the park’s condition reflects the poor upkeep of public spaces across the city.“There was a time when people from many nearby sectors used to come here for walks. Today, there is no gardener, no lighting, no toilets, and no security. Out of sheer necessity, we are pooling funds to water the trees ourselves,” said Ramsharan Nagar, a resident of Alpha 1.Members of the local social body Active Citizens Group (ACG) recently conducted an inspection of the park, finding that it was in a state of dismay. Greater Noida Authority and elected representatives have turned a blind eye to the matter, and residents have been left to maintain the premises by themselves as a result, the ACG members said.“The lack of maintenance has led to deteriorating conditions, including drying trees and crumbling infrastructure,” said NC Sharma, another resident and a member of the ACG team.
Dried up leaves and grass have been left to pile up at the park
Manish Dawar, another resident, said that the park that once felt like paradise is now home to mountains of garbage. Resident Pawan Goyal said the park has turned into a refuge for anti-social elements after dark, making it unsafe for families. “Our mothers and sisters are afraid to step out. Is this the development of a ‘Smart City’?” he asked.Residents demanded that a special cleanliness drive be organised to address the garbage and accumulated leaves, repairing broken benches, footpaths, and the boundary wall. Gardeners, security personnel and sanitation workers need to be deployed here, and LED lighting and public toilets also need to be put up at the park, they said.
A broken bench at the park
“If the Authority and public representatives do not wake up, then we will be forced to protest,” said Harinder Bhati, a member of the ACG team.However, later last week, while authority officials got the waste cleaned up in the park, other issues still remain to be addressed.
