NOIDA: Helmets are no longer just for the road.
In Golf View II, Sector 78, residents have started wearing helmets while walking, cycling, and even playing in their housing society, following incidents of falling plaster and concrete. This trend comes just days after a 46-year-old biker was killed in Greater Noida West when concrete fell from a high-rise and struck him.
On Saturday, children rode their bicycles with helmets on, while residents took evening walks, prioritizing safety. Some even opted for basement paths over outdoor routes.
The immediate catalyst was an incident two days prior, where a large chunk of plaster fell onto a parked car, almost hitting a couple nearby.
“We’re done waiting for the builder and authorities to help. If wearing helmets ensures our safety, then we’ll wear them,” stated resident Brajesh Sharma.
“Two days ago, plaster fell on a car near a couple walking by. Had they been moments earlier, it could have been fatal. We don’t want more deaths. We’re not just complaining anymore; we’re prioritizing safety now,” he added.
Residents expressed that the recent death of Vikas Chawla at Arihant Amber heightened fears across housing complexes in Noida and Greater Noida. Chawla died from head injuries after a concrete fragment fell on him while he was riding his motorcycle within the society.
At Golf View II, residents are especially concerned for their children.
“Children are everywhere in the society, and we can’t confine them indoors. With strong winds and the monsoon approaching, the risk rises. A helmet offers some level of protection,” said Sharma.
For 69-year-old Yogendra Gaud, this precaution has become a household rule. His 11-year-old grandson was recently restricted from playing outside. “He had to stay indoors for days. Today, we let him play, but he’s required to wear a helmet,” Gaud said.
Residents mentioned that falling plaster is a long-standing issue. “First, it happened in Tower M, then Tower J, and now Tower C. The question remains: where are we safe?” Gaud inquired.
Residents have raised concerns regarding deteriorating structures for years, but alleged that repairs have been largely superficial. Sharma recalled a past incident where a resident suffered head injuries and required stitches due to falling debris.
Ranjan Samantaray, a homeowner since 2016, noted that residents’ concerns have not led to lasting resolutions. “Each time debris falls, repairs are done only in that area; afterward, everything returns to normal,” he commented.
Another resident expressed growing frustration: “The fact that people feel compelled to wear helmets while walking in their own society should be a wake-up call. We invested our life savings into our homes here; we shouldn’t have to worry about falling debris,” he said.
