Community centres in Noida, constructed as sectoral amenities around three decades ago, are now in a state of severe neglect. During the late 1980s and 1990s, these centres were bustling hubs for weddings, birthday parties, and other social gatherings. Today, however, many of them are fraying at the edges, with peeling plaster, seepage-stained walls, broken toilets, and deferred maintenance becoming common sights.
Older Centres Show Signs of Neglect
Facilities in sectors 11, 12, 19, 40, 44, 55, and 71 are particularly affected. Even centres delivered within the past decade in sectors 51, 116, and 122 lack basic infrastructure, such as functional kitchens and adequate parking. Across the board, most community centres are missing essential firefighting systems and rainwater harvesting measures.
RWAs Raise Safety Concerns
Resident welfare associations (RWAs) across the city have highlighted that more than two dozen community centres are in shambles and have become unsafe for large gatherings. Sanjeev Kumar, senior vice-president of the District Development RWA, stated, “Several occasions, including weddings, birthday parties, and engagements, are held in these community centres. During such functions, around 200 to 500 people gather. From the fire safety point of view, these centres are not safe at all.”
In Sector 11, one of Noida’s earliest residential sectors, residents said the community centre has remained incomplete despite repeated requests to the Noida Authority. RWA president Anup Gupta noted that portions of the building still have tin sheds instead of RCC roofing. “Frequent thefts are reported in the sector, which is open from all sides and has no gates. The sector is situated at the border of Delhi, near Kondli,” he explained. He also pointed to unusable toilets, seepage, lack of kitchen facilities, and the absence of firefighting systems. “We have made several petitions to the Authority, but there has been no redress. Tenders were issued for repairs and ceiling works nearly a decade ago, however, they were never acted upon,” Gupta added. The sector is densely populated with about 20,000 inhabitants.
Similar Plight in Neighbouring Sectors
Neighbouring Sector 12 presents a similar picture. Residents described the centre as poorly maintained, with peeling plaster, broken flooring, rusted gates, and garbage littered across the premises. RWA president Tarsem Chandra said anti-social activities were frequently reported there. “No one uses the community centre in our sector. Its condition is not conducive to holding functions or weddings,” he said. The venue is overgrown with bushes and infested with rats. “More and more people are forced to choose private banquet halls. We had written to the GB Nagar MP and MLA, but there has been no redress.” Chandra claimed that the community centre has become an ‘eyesore’, with stray cattle wandering in the abandoned building.
The RWA in Sector 19, a centrally located sector home to over 25,000 residents, has managed the facility after it was handed over by the Noida Authority in 2014. The centre was rebuilt as a double-storey structure with two halls, and a lift shaft was built, but the Authority never installed the elevator. RWA president RC Gupta said the association undertakes repairs and pays electricity bills for ACs installed there. “Routine expenditure on maintenance is met from bookings of the centre,” Gupta said. However, the funds are not enough for upgrading the dilapidated bathrooms, fixing the air conditioning, and soundproofing the venue.
Issues in Other Sectors
Home to over 3,000 residents, Sector 40 was primarily developed as a planned residential area during the 1990s. The sector features well-established housing, including AWHO flats, independent houses, and green parks. It is centrally located opposite Dadri Road and near the Noida Golf Course, with excellent connectivity to commercial hubs. Residents said the community centre now has damaged flooring, seepage in rooms, and outdated kitchens with old electrical fittings. “The centre needs a power backup system. Due to its bad condition, there are not many takers of this centre for marriage and other functions,” said Mohinder Singh, RWA general secretary.
Residents in Sector 71 and Sector 44 said their centres were too small for present-day requirements. Sector 44 residents pointed out that barely 100 to 125 people could be accommodated once a stage was erected. “There’s very little space for movement,” said a resident.
Newer Centres Also Face Criticism
Even recently built centres have not escaped criticism. In Sector 51, where the community centre was completed in 2024 after decades of demand, residents said bookings were difficult because of the lack of functional kitchen, toilets, and firefighting equipment. Similarly, residents of Sector 116 said the building, constructed in 2022, already faces seepage and peeling plaster. “For weddings, residents still rely on private banquet halls and community halls,” said RWA president Brahmpal Choudhary. In Sector 122, residents complained about foul-smelling kitchen because of poor drainage and the absence of fire safety systems. They also said wedding functions often caused inconvenience to nearby residents because of loud music.
Residents across Noida are urging the Noida Authority to take immediate action to repair and upgrade these community centres to ensure safety and functionality.
