As people are ready to celebrate Diwali, residents from various societies across Dwarka have raised questions regarding spots which have been designated near hospitals, and in general, for bursting crackers.
Though these spots were earmarked by the civic authorities and the local police of the area, people are concerned about the pollution which will be created due to sound and smoke.
Taking this matter seriously, the Federation of Cooperative Group Housing Societies (FCGHS) has written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Najafgarh Zone, mentioning three specific spots near hospitals in the area.
General Secretary of FCGHS, Sudha Sinha said, “The spot near Sector 12 Community Centre of the SDMC is adjacent to Rockland Hospital while another spot in Sector 3 is near Akash Hospital. One more spot in Sector 17 is near the dispensary run by Delhi government. This is really surprising to know how the civic authorities finalised these places for bursting crackers. I mean the spots in Sector 3 and Sector 12 fall in silence zone category, so this is sheer violation of the norms laid.”
The letter by the federation also raised the point that civic bodies should have considered particular spots within the society premises so that people can celebrate together. Moreover, people complained the designated places, listed by the authorities, are not easy to commute. They feel that such places should have been finalised after consulting residents across the area.
R K Singh, a resident of Sector 4, said, “The list is not practical as a person living near Ashirwad Chowk is forced to walk about 1 km to 2 kms to reach the designated spots, either at Sector 3 or 12. Hence, it will be a waste of time.”
Besides, some people said it is little upsetting to realize that they can celebrate the festival within two-hour time frame, allowed by the local administration.
When City Spidey asked one of the officials about the course of action the department concerned would be taking following the issuance of this letter, he, on the condition of anonymity, declined to get any changes done in the list. But he added that such points, from the residents’ point of view, would be considered in future.
He further said the objective was to discourage the use of crackers and hence the authorities obeyed the directives issued by the apex body.
