Five years on, authority still building 300-metre road in Noida village

Villagers of Sorkha village have been waiting for five years for the Noida authority to complete a 300-metre stretch that would complete an 8km periphery road around the village.

Villagers of Sorkha village have been waiting for five years for the Noida authority to complete a 300-metre stretch that would complete an 8km periphery road around the village.

The authority had built the peripheral road in 2011, except for the 300-metre stretch that is still incomplete. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

They said disruption in completing this peripheral road will affect drainage and sewage network of the village and the urban areas adjoining it.

Over 20,000 residents are living in the newly built group housing complexes in sectors 116, 117, 118, 119, 77 and 74, among others, near Sorkha village.

The authority had built the peripheral road in 2011, except for the 300-metre stretch that is still incomplete.

“Now the authority is not completing this 300-metre stretch. Instead, it is all set to build a Samajwadi affordable housing scheme flats on this 300-metre patch. We vehemently oppose any such move. We will not let the authority build flats on land meant for road,” said Naresh Yadav, Sorkha village pradhan (head).

Yadav said he has been writing to the authority since 2011 protesting the move to build houses.

“In five years, the authority could not build a 300-metre stretch and provide a periphery road that would have benefited motorists in this region. Drainage and sewage lines for our village and adjoining urban areas are being laid along this periphery road. If the road work is disrupted, it will affect us and those living in group housing complexes,” Yadav said.

In 2011, then chief executive officer (CEO) of Noida authority, Balwinder Kumar, had directed the authority to build this 18 metre wide road with an aim to provide better connectivity to villagers and adjoining sectors.

“The Noida authority should have taken up all road projects, including this peripheral one, on a priority basis because they are meant for the larger good. Disruption of work not only troubles farmers living in this village, but also office goers, who travel from sectors 77, 74 and 76 to Greater Noida west,” said Sanjay Kumar a resident of sector 116.

Farmers on Friday also met Rajesh Prakash, additional chief executive officer (ACEO) of the Noida authority and raised the issue.

“We will get this 300-metre periphery stretch completed. Work will begin soon. Samajwadi affordable housing scheme will not affect this periphery road,” Prakash said.