NOIDA: Nearly ten years after many residents of the 7x and 100x sectors in Noida received possession of their apartments, they moved to this satellite town to avoid hefty EMIs on home loans, expecting gradual development. Unfortunately, fundamental infrastructure improvements have yet to materialize.
Sectors like 74 to 79 and 115 to 121 continue to grapple with inadequate transportation, poorly maintained roads, a scarcity of petrol stations, designated commercial areas, and children’s parks. Additionally, only a limited number of ATMs and banks cater to the needs of the approximately 300,000 residents.
“While conditions have gradually improved with the introduction of e-rickshaws operating from metro stations in Sectors 50, 52, 63, and 76, which are about 4 to 6 km away, basic amenities like a proper market, commercial spaces, government hospitals or clinics are still lacking,” said Nikhil Singhal, president of the Noida Highrise Federation for the 100x Sectors.
The 7x sector encompasses over 30 societies and high-rise buildings, including Ajnara Grand Heritage in Sector 74, Prateek Wisteria in Sector 77, and Mahagun Moderne in Sector 78, among others. Conversely, the 100x sector features nearly a dozen complexes, such as Amrapali Zodiac and RG Residency in Sector 120, and Amrapali Platinum in Sector 119.
Dust pollution and inadequate road conditions contribute to the growing list of unaddressed issues. “There are about 46 societies around the 7x sectors, home to 150,000 to 200,000 people. While many families own cars, the nearest petrol station is roughly 7 km away,” noted Amit Gupta, a former president of the Apartment Owners Association.
Gupta expressed frustration over a vacant commercial plot in Sector 76, which was designated for a market and community center but remains undeveloped by the Noida Authority. “Any development that has taken place has been initiated by builders within the high-rise complexes,” he added.
Additionally, the critical road linking Sector 78 to the Noida-Greater Noida expressway experiences heavy traffic congestion during peak hours. “The roads are in disrepair, exacerbating daily traffic challenges, and dust pollution poses a serious health risk, especially to children and the elderly,” remarked Dhananjay Kumar Singh, a resident of Ajnara Heritage, Sector 74.
Similar predicaments plague nearly 100,000 residents of the 100x sectors, which are experiencing rapid population growth and comprise several high-rises and plotted homes, along with surrounding villages like Sorkha and Sarfabad. Many residents are working professionals, particularly in IT and public sector undertakings (PSUs) like NTPC.
Due to the absence of dedicated waste collection points, garbage is often discarded in green belts and open spaces. Singhal highlighted that unauthorized vendors creating markets in these neglected areas add to the nuisance. “Water supply is also sporadic, as there’s an insufficient number of borewells to compensate for Ganga water supply issues. The lack of footpaths, resting spots, and security measures, such as CCTV and police presence, further aggravates the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sector 117 has been advocating for a children’s park for the past five years. Although a vacant plot belonging to the Noida Authority was proposed to be transformed into a park, it has instead been used as a waste dumping site. Protests led to the cessation of waste dumping, yet residents still await essential amenities, forcing them to travel to nearby sectors for basic needs.
Kosinder Yadav, RWA President of Sector 117, stated, “Children are compelled to play on the roads, posing accident risks, yet the Noida Authority has yet to address this issue.”
While some development efforts, such as designating vending zones, have been made by the Authority, substantial work is still needed in the newer sectors. A response from the Authority on these matters is forthcoming.
