Gurgaon Sector 46 residents beautify green belt to strengthen security

The green belt has now been covered by a barbed wire

Residents and residents’ welfare association (RWA) of Sector 46 have beautified a green belt that was being used for disposing of waste for many years to strengthen the security of the area.

The RWA had started a two-month development programme for residents, in which they planted trees and flowers. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

This is one of the oldest sectors in the city. It was developed in 2001 after the allotment. The initiative was taken up after repeated complaints of chain snatching, security threats, encroachment and stray animals entering the locality through the green belt.

Raj Kumar Yadav, the president of Sector 46 residents’ welfare association (RWA), said that there are 32,500 plots in the sector of which construction has been done on around 2,000. There are still many vacant plots in the area but there was no demarcation of boundaries, he said.

“Earlier, four chain snatching incidents were reported per week from our sector; which has now reduced to zero. The sector was accessible from all directions and there was no monitoring done. But now, we have installed six gates and only one is kept open for 24 hours. A security guard has also been deployed there,” said Yadav.

The RWA had started a two-month development programme for residents, in which they planted trees and flowers in the green belt. The RWA spent Rs3 lakh for fencing and conducting plantation in the sector and roped in two private schools, which helped them in developing the outer area.

The sector that is spread across a 5km radius has been completely fenced. The green belt has been covered with iron railings and barbed wires. Only a few sectors across the city currently have fenced green belts, which also demarcates sectors.

Earlier, the residents indiscriminately threw waste into the green belt, which attracted stray dogs, pigs and cattle. Stray animals used to enter the area and drag garbage onto the roads, RWA members said.

“The fencing on the green belt has restricted the entry of stray animals. Whenever it rained, this solid waste and dirty water got into the compounds and houses in the vicinity. The site had also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” NS Gautam, vice president RWA, said.

Surender Kaur, a resident, said, “Initially, we were unhappy with the RWA for restricting parking in the green belt and for coming up with strict rules and regulations. However, we feel secure after the area has been developed and the green belt and boundary wall have been built.”