NOIDA: Residents of Jaypee Greens Kensington Park Apartments in Sector 133 have been protesting against a nearby ready-mix concrete (RMC) plant. They claim the plant, set up by Jaypee Infratech Limited, poses health risks. Additionally, they assert that it lacks approval from relevant authorities, including the pollution department and Noida Authority, and has obstructed the two-way road in front of their complex.
Vinay Dwivedi, a resident, expressed, “The establishment of this RMC plant has led to increased pollution in our area, adversely affecting residents’ health. Despite multiple requests to the Noida Authority, we have not received any response or action regarding our concerns.”
Residents’ worries have escalated as air quality in the area reportedly reached an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 189, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category over the past week.
According to Dwivedi, construction at the RMC plant began in January this year but was halted by the end of February after protests and a notice from the UPPCB. However, residents claim that the builder resumed work and started encroaching on the road again from August 26, with the two-way road in front of the society barricaded as of Friday in an effort to restart operations.
Vijay Rawal, deputy general manager (civil) at Noida Authority, clarified that such cases require land acquisition and permissions from the Noida Authority before approaching the UPPCB. “Without those approvals, it is classified as encroachment, for which we issue a 15-day notice before any removal action,” he stated.
Rawal noted that the land for the plant belongs to Jaypee builders and emphasized the importance of adhering to pollution control regulations. Meanwhile, Abhijit Gohil from Jaypee Suraksha assured, “We are a responsible company and comply with all necessary norms.”
