Noida’s Sector 18 Market in a mess; visitors, traders suffer

Haphazard parking, construction mess and delayed redevelopment work are troubling visitors and traders in Sector 18, Noida’s commercial hub. Angry traders on Wednesday threatened to write to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath if the Noida authority fails to expedite the redevelopment work.

Haphazard parking, construction mess and delayed redevelopment work are troubling visitors and traders in Sector 18, Noida’s commercial hub.

Traders said the authority had 20 days ago dug up six locations in the market to complete the redevelopment project. (Sunil Ghosh/HT)

Angry traders on Wednesday threatened to write to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath if the Noida authority fails to expedite the redevelopment work.

The project, which started on April 17, 2013, was scheduled to be over in 18 months. But even three years after the deadline ended, the work is running way behind schedule, inviting the ire of visitors and traders.

“Today we sought time from the Noida authority chief executive officer Deepak Agarwal to discuss issues that trouble visitors and traders. He may give us time soon. One of the biggest problems that we face is the haphazard parking on both sides of the roads inside the market. Visitors cannot comfortably drive on these roads. As a result, we are losing business,” said SK Jain, president, Sector 18 Market Association.

Traders said the authority had 20 days ago dug up six locations in the market to complete the redevelopment project.

“Since then, the authority has stopped work, creating huge problems for us and visitors. For the last four years, the authority has failed to complete the redevelopment work. Why did they dig up six locations simultaneously when they were to take so long to complete the work?” said Jain.

The authority has dug up next the area next to Sector 18 police post too. As a result, dust and construction material pose an inconvenience to visitors.

“The Noida authority should have dug up one point, completed the work and then moved on to the next location. I do not know why the contractor did this digging mindlessly, causing inconvenience to visitors and traders,” said Yogendra Singh, a trader.

The authority said the delay is caused by the shifting of utility lines.

“Our work next to the police post was halted because we needed to shift utility lines of power, telephone and water. We will ensure that parking takes place only on one side of the road so that visitors do not face any problem,” said SC Mishra, senior project engineer, Noida authority.