Residents Alarmed by Deteriorating Electrical Infrastructure in Noida and Ghaziabad
Residents of Shalimar Garden Extension in Ghaziabad and Sector 55 in Noida have expressed serious concerns over the dilapidated state of electrical infrastructure in their neighborhoods. They highlight the risks of accidents stemming from rusting, tilted poles, exposed electrical pipes, and dangling cables, and claim that despite numerous complaints, no redress has been provided.
In Shalimar Garden Extension, Pradeep Gupta, founding member of the Shalimar Garden Jan Kalyan Samiti, formally addressed a letter to Sandeep Singh, executive engineer at the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board (UPSEB), Mohan Nagar, Ghaziabad. The letter detailed the hazardous condition of an electricity pole and its supporting pipes located at Plot No. 299, directly in the area. According to Gupta, several iron pipes supporting the pole are completely rusted and broken at the base, while another pipe is heavily leaning, causing the pole to become dangerously unbalanced. “This situation presents a serious risk, especially given that the area serves as a thoroughfare with constant movement from women, children, and vehicles. Residents fear the imminent collapse of the pole could lead to severe accidents and loss of life,” said Gupta.
In a parallel issue, residents of Noida Sector 55 expressed frustration regarding faulty streetlights and incomplete development works. A letter addressed to the chief executive officer of Noida Authority by Satnarayan Goyal, Resident Welfare Association president of Sector 55, on Tuesday detailed that many roads and public spaces in the sector have been left in darkness for over a year and a half, raising concerns about safety and security. Residents alleged continued inaction by the local authority despite repeated complaints. They pointed out that while new developments continue in other areas of Noida, Sector 55 appears neglected, fostering feelings of discrimination among its residents. “While new developments continue in other areas of Noida, Sector 55 appears neglected, fostering feelings of discrimination among its residents,” said Goyal, who demanded immediate repairs of non-functional streetlights, expediting the installation of new poles, and completion of stalled development projects.
The ongoing official apathy towards the electrical infrastructure has ignited a wave of anger and concern among citizens. Residents demand swift action as crucial to restoring safety and accountability within the sector. Officials from the power department maintain that planned infrastructure upgrades and repairs are underway in both Noida and Ghaziabad, where rusted poles, transformers, cables, etc., are being replaced in a phased manner. Meanwhile, a response on non-functional streetlights is awaited from officials from the Noida Authority.
