Open Drains, Debris, and Dug-Up Roads: Indirapuram Residents Struggle Amid Development Work

Ghaziabad, Indirapuram: Once a thriving residential and commercial hub, Indirapuram in Ghaziabad has now become synonymous with open drains, heaps of construction debris, and dug-up roads, causing daily hardships for its residents.

Residents say the ongoing development work, though necessary, is being carried out with alarming negligence, compromising public safety. In several areas, including Abhay Khand, Nyay Khand-1, Shaheed Captain Manoj Pandey Road, Ahinsa Khand, Divyansh Pratham, and Saya Zenith Society, sewer line and drain construction work has left roads hazardous. Despite months of work, no barricades, reflective tapes, warning boards, or temporary barriers have been installed, making night-time travel extremely risky.

Fast-Paced Work, Neglected Safety
Local residents admit that while development is important, basic safety measures are being completely overlooked. Narrow streets and obstructed entry and exit points exacerbate the danger. The roads along Gurudwara Road, particularly, are in a perilous state, with deep concrete drains dug along the sides, but no protective measures in place. Residents like Preetam Kotharia of Saya Zenith Society and Kapil Tyagi of Divyansh Pratham recalled incidents where people, including bikers, fell into open drains. Yet, no concrete safety solutions have been implemented so far.

Residents’ Concerns
Deepak Kumar, President of the Federation of Owners’ Association, stressed that while development is crucial, neglecting safety creates serious risks. RP Joshi, General Secretary of Abhay Khand Federation, urged the municipal corporation to deploy trained personnel systematically. Kuldeep Saxena, Coordinator of Confederation of Trans Hindon RWAs, added that open drains and darkened streets pose the greatest danger to the elderly, children, and vehicle users.

Critical Areas
Among the worst-affected locations are the main road from Sai Mandir to Shukra Bazaar in Nyay Khand-1, where debris and open drains hinder safe passage. In Nyay Khand-3, people are forced to use makeshift steps to navigate excavation sites. Shaheed Captain Manoj Pandey Road, CISF Road in Shipra City, Jaipuria Mall Road, Neeti Khand-2, and Swarn Jayanti Park Road also face serious hazards due to ongoing digging and debris.

Municipal Corporation Response
Mayank Mishra, Executive Engineer of the Municipal Water Department, stated that sewer work is currently limited to the front of St. Teresa School, where proper barricading and reflective tapes have been installed. Sanjay Gangwar, JE of the Vasundhara Zone, assured that safety measures like barricades have been put in place wherever necessary. He explained that ongoing work connecting three drains near Shiv Dairy caused temporary delays and expansion of construction sites, but additional safety arrangements will be implemented where required.

While development work in Indirapuram continues at a rapid pace, residents warn that without stronger safety measures, the risk of accidents remains high.