Noida: As private builders continue to overuse groundwater, Greater Noida residents from multiple sectors staged a protest outside the district administration’s office, making a call for conservation of natural resources on Friday.The protest was organised under the banner of a local social body, “Corruption-Free India,” and was led by its co-founder Praveen Bharatiya, along with RWA general secretary (Sector Delta 2) Alok Nagar. The protest also coincides with the organisation’s “August Kranti” campaign that targets govt departments, development authorities and corruption across Greater Noida.“Private builders in the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna regions are systematically depleting the area’s natural groundwater reserves. Despite numerous complaints lodged with local authorities and the Groundwater Department, no meaningful action has been taken,” said Nagar.The protesters also raised concerns regarding the rampant sale of adulterated food products, including contaminated milk, ghee, paneer, khoya and various sweets. A local resident, Dinesh Nagar, said that such goods are easily available in areas including Dadri, Surajpur, Bilaspur, Dankaur and Jewar, risking the well-being of residents, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.Protesters called for stricter regulations and enforcement and submitted a formal memorandum addressed to the chief minister to sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Arun Kumar.“The protest against groundwater depletion and adulterated food will serve as an inspiration for others to hold their elected officials accountable,” Bharatiya said.
