The oldest and most populated sector of Noida, Sector 15, has been witnessing a spate of burglaries in the recent past. Now there is a constant blame game on between the RWA and the local police — and in the midst of this, hapless residents continue to suffer.
The most recent burglary attempt was last night, when a man trying to break into a house in Block A was spotted by a resident. As he raised an alarm, the man escaped.
Sector 15 has 1,036 houses carved out of five blocks, A to E. Most of these are multistorey houses, with families living on each of the three floors, making the population of the sector about 5,000 or more. Noida News
According to the RWA management, there are five guards on duty during the day and 14 at night. But the quality and training of the guards is a big question mark. Many guards are too old to man the gates or patrol the lanes of the sector at night. There are seven CCTV cameras functional at the two gates of the sector and three more installed at the community centre. But till date, these CCTV cameras have served no purpose whatsoever in identifying or helping the police nab thieves and burglars who have escaped the sector.
The RWA charges a nominal amount of Rs 150 per household for security and garbage disposal from houses. There is a section of residents who want this amount to be increased, so better security is provided to them.
But the problem is twofold. The biggest menace in the sector is the growing number of paying guest accommodations, in which a large number of students and bachelors live. Even the owners of the houses are not aware of the identity or the number of visitors these PGs have on a daily basis.
Though Noida Authority has termed the opening of paying guest accommodations in residential sectors illegal, they are mushrooming freely, as Noida Authority is sitting pretty, not concerned about how to enforce the rule it has itself made.
The second big menace is the green belt and the walking track adjoining Block A of the sector. The green belt is connected to Gate No 1 of the sector. Rather than serving the purpose of a green belt and a walking track, it has become more of a bane to the sector. Starting late mornings, unscrupulous elements gather at the green belt and are often seen gambling and consuming alcohol till evening. The RWA seems to have no control over the situation and lack of police patrolling makes this place a safe haven for antisocial elements. Lack of lights in the green belt makes things worse.
Sick and tired of the prevailing conditions and the hapless security, groups of residents are thinking about hiring more security guards and paying for them from their own pockets, rather than relying on the present security system, which is of no good…
