Ghaziabad: From Model Town to Breached by Nuisance Dairy Farms, Squatters & - CISIC Indifference
 

Vasundhara - once touted to be a dream model township in Ghaziabad was marred lately by severe challenges of nuisance diary farms and slums amid growing civic apathy. Once said to be urban marvel with the neatly demarcated sectors now has become symbol of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and illegal activities.

Burgeoning Populace Strains Infrastructure

The township, home to over seven lakh residents, has seen its population double in the past decade. This rapid growth has overwhelmed the local infrastructure, with roads, sewage systems, and basic civic amenities struggling to meet demand. As a result, residents now face issues such as illegally parked vehicles, widespread street vendors, and garbage piles that worsen daily.

Rise of Illegal Dairies and Unauthorized Constructions

A major issue that troubles Vasundhara is illegal dairy farms. These dairies are frequently established along the sides of residential complexes to facilitate easy access. They leave the locality dirty and obstruct traffic movement as cows often stray onto the roads. What is worse is that many of these dairy operators are known to dispose of their waste in open areas and in sewers, which aggravates the growing pollution of the area.

Besides dairies, there have been more than 5,500 unauthorized constructions reported in a survey conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Housing Board. Most of them are constructed against the building code.

Illegal slums are appearing on vacant plots and mostly they become hubs for drug peddling and illicit liquor sale.

Crime and Safety Concerns

The crime rate in this area has increased. Chain-snatching incidents are quite frequent, especially near the elevated bridge at Sector 9. People live in constant fear, at times not even wearing jewelry and accessories to not attract robbers. According to data available with Ghaziabad police, there were 167 chain-snatching incidents in Vasundhara in just the first eight months of this year.

Sanitation Crisis and Garbage Issues

Garbage dumps and sanitation issues are another major concern. Places around Atal Chowk and CISF Road are littered with illegal dumping grounds, which pose health hazards and an unbearable stench. Residents have taken efforts to plant trees and develop green spaces, but the slum dwellers continue to destroy them, worsening the environmental issues in the locality.

Civic Apathy and Lack of Accountability

The residents of Vasundhara hold the Uttar Pradesh Housing Board and the local authorities responsible for the present neglect of the township. The inability to regulate unauthorized constructions and illegal activities has led to the rapid deterioration of the area's livability. As one resident puts it, "If the authorities had acted sooner, Vasundhara could have developed into a truly modern and thriving area.

Questions are being raised regarding the role of local officials who have failed to address the growing concerns of illegal constructions, crime, and sanitation in the township as it continues to deteriorate. With no clear solution in sight, Vasundhara's once-promising future now seems uncertain.

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