GHAZIABAD: A newly launched housing project with a starting price of Rs 5 crore has positioned Indirapuram as a hotspot for premium real estate in NCR.
However, residents express their concerns over rising property rates. “It’s disheartening to see so many issues,” lamented a local from Ahimsa Khand 1. “The roads are torn up for drainage work, and clouds of dust linger during peak pollution. Traffic is a nightmare, and there seems to be no police presence to assist. Every day, the township feels less livable,” they added.
As a township adjacent to the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, which is favored for its proximity to Delhi and Noida, Indirapuram has experienced significant population growth over the years. Unfortunately, that has resulted in severely congested roads resembling those of Chandni Chowk. Weekends make navigating near Indirapuram Habitat Centre, Aditya Mall, and North India Mall almost impossible due to the overwhelming traffic and chaotic parking practices.
The stark contrast between real estate values and the actual infrastructure conditions is evident. “It’s ironic,” remarked Rohit Malhotra, a Shipra Suncity resident who commutes daily to Noida. “While luxurious complexes are emerging, the roads outside are nearly impassable. Every evening, traffic grinds to a halt due to wrong-side driving and haphazard parking,” he stated.
During weekday evenings, areas near Shipra Mall and Kala Patthar Road are consistently gridlocked, with food vendors occupying considerable road space. Central verges often overflow with unchecked flora, and piles of garbage are commonly found near market areas.
“Everywhere feels like a parking lot, and garbage collection is sporadic,” voiced Priya Bansal from Niti Khand. “Given the property rates and maintenance fees, it feels like we’re living in a neglected area.”
Local businesses share similar frustrations. “While footfall has increased due to new cafés and shops, parking is a disaster,” said Aman Arora, who runs a boutique in Vaibhav Khand. “Customers frequently cancel plans because there’s nowhere to park. Poor management, not lack of interest, is causing our losses,” he explained.
Regarding the persistent traffic jams in Indirapuram, police offered a standard response. Additional DCP (traffic), Ghaziabad, Sachhidanand, stated that regular patrols are conducted to alleviate the chaos, maintaining that they have one traffic inspector and 25 sub-inspectors working in the area.
He added that a joint enforcement operation with the corporation takes place every Thursday to penalize and tow illegally parked vehicles. Vendors encroaching on roads face consequences under Section 152 of BNSS, which can lead to fines or imprisonment for offenders.
Residents feel that such enforcement has little impact. “They might clear some vendors and tow a few cars, but within hours, things revert to normal,” explained Shubha Singh, a local resident near Angel Mercury. “There’s no ongoing follow-up or sustained action.”
There was hope for improvement when the GDA transferred responsibility for the township to the corporation last year, but changes have been minimal. Garbage remains a constant issue along the roads, especially around malls and areas occupied by food vendors.
Municipal Commissioner Vikramaditya Singh Malik noted that the health department has been instructed to enhance cleanliness monitoring. “Any agency found negligent will face contract cancellation,” he asserted. He also emphasized the importance of residents’ cooperation in maintaining cleanliness.
Urban planning expert Ashish Shivpuri, a former GDA town planner, identified the township’s foundational issue. “Indirapuram was initially designed for smaller homes, generally one or two dwellings. With the rise of high-rises, population density has exploded. Where four families once lived on a 200-square-yard plot, we now have 15 or 20 families,” he remarked. He warns that adding new commercial buildings without adhering to original layout plans will exacerbate crowding. “Many of these structures lack adequate parking, leading to vehicles congesting the roads,” he concluded.
