No longer just a walk in the park

Heart patient Prem Bakshi has been advised a daily short stroll to keep fit by doctors.

Heart patient Prem Bakshi (76) has been advised a daily short stroll to keep fit by doctors.

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But the rejuvenating stroll has turned into a painful tread.

Bakshi, — a retired government official and a resident of Mahagun Manor apartments in Noida Sector 50 — who used to walk down a few metres to Noida Authority's newly developed Meghdutam park from his apartment's exit-gate, now has to take a taxing two-km walk to reach the park's main entrance.

Reason? Noida Authority has issued notices to around 30 housing apartments in the area, mostly consisting of those developed by private builders, to close down exit gates which directly opened inside the park.

“The issue is troubling residents, especially senior citizens, women and children. It is really painful to cover such a huge distance to reach the main entrance,” Bakshi said.

Bakshi is not alone.

Other senior citizens and residents from around 12,000 families residing in the area face the same problem.

“Apart from covering a major distance to the entrance, there is a huge population of stray dogs in the area which pose a threat to residents,” said Ved Pal, a retired Army official and a resident of Silver Estate apartments in Sector 50. Pal has asthma attacks and underwent Angioplasty in 2007.

Residents have now threatened protests if their demands are not heard. Noida Authority officials, however, said that no final decision has been taken in this regard.

“This issue has been discussed last week and will be forwarded to higher officials, who will take a final call,” said Anil Raj Kumar, Deputy CEO, Noida Authority.

The Meghdutam park project has recently been developed by Noida Authority on 30 acres of land in Sector 50 with an investment of over Rs 6 crores. The park is surrounded on three sides by high rises while dozens of housing projects nearby are under construction.

“Going all the way through the main entrance exposes residents to mobile and chain snatchers,” said S.N. Mishra, a retired Railway official and Alok Vihar (I) resident. “If exit-gates are allowed to open, the distance is reduced to a few meters.”

Last Sunday, a joint-forum of RWA held discussions with NA officials to discuss the issue. “We also want the proposed club-facility to be developed by NA and handed over to the RWA,” said Dr. D. Sharma, President, Joint forum, F block Resident Welfare Association.

Considering the rapid housing development in the area, residents also demand opening of gates to help them in case of a natural calamity.

“In case of an earthquake, residents could use these gates to enter the park,” said A.K. Tikkoo, a retired official.