Noida: Helmets are no longer just for roads. At Golf View II in Sector 78, residents have begun wearing protective headgear while walking, cycling, and even playing inside their housing society after a series of incidents involving falling plaster and concrete from towers. This extraordinary precaution comes less than a week after a 46-year-old biker was killed at another society in Greater Noida West when a chunk of concrete fell from a highrise and struck him.
Helmets Become a Necessity
On Saturday, children cycled through the society wearing helmets, residents stepped out for evening walks with their heads covered, and some chose basement passages instead of open pathways. The immediate trigger was an incident two days ago when a large chunk of plaster crashed onto a parked car inside the society, narrowly missing a couple walking nearby.
“We have stopped waiting for the builder and authorities to act. If helmets are what it takes to keep us safe, we will wear them,” said resident Brajesh Sharma. “Two days ago, a large piece of plaster fell on a car while a couple was walking next to it. Had they been a few seconds earlier, someone could have lost their life. We don’t want another death. Earlier, we were in complaint mode. Now, we are in safety mode,” he added.
Recent Tragedy Heightens Anxiety
Residents said the recent death of Vikas Chawla at Arihant Amber has heightened anxiety across housing complexes in Noida and Greater Noida. Chawla died after a chunk of concrete fell on him while he was riding his motorcycle inside the society premises, causing him to lose control and suffer fatal head injuries.
At Golf View II, many families now see children as the most vulnerable. “There are children everywhere in the society. We cannot lock them inside their homes. With strong winds and the monsoon approaching, the risk only increases. At least a helmet offers some protection,” Sharma said.
Household Rules for Safety
For Yogendra Gaud (69), the precaution has become a household rule. His 11-year-old grandson was recently told not to play outdoors. “For several days, he stayed indoors. Today, we allowed him to play, but only with a helmet,” Gaud said. According to residents, falling plaster is not a new problem. “First, it happened in Tower M, then in Tower J, and now in Tower C. The question is, where are we safe?” Gaud sought to know.
Long-Standing Issues Unresolved
Residents alleged that complaints about deteriorating portions of buildings have been made for years, but repairs have largely been temporary. Sharma recalled that a resident suffered head injuries and required stitches after being hit by falling debris last year. Ranjan Samantaray, who bought a flat at the society in 2016, said concerns raised repeatedly by residents have not translated into long-term solutions. “Every time debris falls, repairs are carried out only in that particular area. After that, everything goes back to normal,” he said.
Another resident summed up the growing frustration. “The fact that people feel safer wearing helmets while walking inside their own housing society should be a wake-up call. We invested our life’s savings to buy homes here. We should not have to worry about what might fall from above,” he added.
