Amrapali Group CEO and director arrested

The district administration of Gautam Budh Nagar on Monday arrested the CEO and director of Amrapali Group for failing to pay Rs 4.29 crore labour cess for the past three years. The police arrested CEO Ritik Kumar Sinha and director Nishant Mukul, and sealed the Amrapali head office in Sector 62, Noida.

Both the Amrapali officials have been kept in the custody of the tehsil lockup for 14 days.

Amit Kumar, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Gautam Budh Nagar, told City Spidey that the action on the real estate giant was taken under Section 171 of the Land Revenue Act (Section 171 says that any person defaulting on payment of an arrear of land revenue maybe arrested and detained in custody in the tehsil lockup till the dues are paid but period should not exceed 14 days).  Noida Local News

"The company had dues to the tune of Rs 1.75 crore in 2014. However, when they failed to pay, a penal interest amounting to Rs 83 lakh was imposed, besides a penalty of Rs 1.72 crore," he added.

BN Singh, district magistrate of GB Nagar, told City Spidey that a final recovery notice was issued on June 5, but the builder failed to pay up.

City Spidey tried to discuss the matter with the officials of Amrapali Group, but no one was willing to speak on the matter. Noida News

An official of the administration said the district department of Noida had also issued a notice in this regard to seven other builders as well. “Representatives of other builders may also be arrested in the coming days,” the official added. Apartment Management System

The arrests came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions of strict action against builders failing to clear their dues.

The CM said that they were serious about the issues with builders and had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against erring builders.

What development charges when there’s no building!

Senior Citizens’ Welfare Society of Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension has hiked both membership fees and annual development charges, but members cried down the decision calling it arbitrary and unjustified.

According to members, the decision was taken without prior approval from the Registrar of Societies of the Delhi government. They also questioned the grounds on which the society hiked the development fees, since the society owns no premises.  

A circular issued by the committee in May had raised the registration or entry fee from Rs 100 to Rs 500 and annual development charges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. The committee also asked members to pay an extra Rs 200 for functions held round the year.

Another circular issued on June 30 raised the entry fee to Rs 1,000. The hike was made applicable from April 1.

The society operates from the premises of the DDA park between Manas Apartment and Kala Vihar Apartments. City Spidey was informed that the space was not registered in the society's name. Members thus questioned the grounds for a hike in development fee when the society has no space or building of its own.

The society was founded in 2007 under the leadership of Diwan Singh Bajeli, a resident of Kala Vihar Apartment. The registration fee for new members was just Rs 50 at the time. A few years later, it was raised to Rs 100. Delhi Local News

At present, the society has 400 members — all from the 22 housing societies in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension. The society receives Rs 1.20 lakh annually from the Delhi government under its Senior Citizens’ Welfare Scheme. The sum is released in two six-monthly installments. Delhi News

Umed Singh, a member of the society, and a resident of United India Apartments, said, “In a meeting on May 31, the registration fee was fixed at Rs 500. However, a fresh circular, issued on June 30, further hiked the membership fee to Rs 1,000. I oppose it because it has been done without taking prior approval from the Registrar of Societies.  It’s an arbitrary decision — and thus not acceptable.”

When City Spidey contacted VK Gohil, general sectary of the society, he defended the committee’s decision of increasing fees. Gate Management System

Haryana CM inaugurates Hero Honda Flyover

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the eight-lane flyover at Hero Honda Chowk today morning amidst rain.

The CM announced that the flyover is now open for two-way vehicular movement.

Hero Honda Chowk is one of the busiest intersections of the city and often waterlogged during the rains. The flyover will bring respite to commuters travelling to Sector 10, Sultanpur, Basai and even Jhajjhar. They will no longer need to go from Kherki Dhaula toll.

Speaking to the media, Khattar stressed on how the government is concentrating on completing projects not only in Gurgaon, but in the entire state. It is spending crores of rupees on infrastructure and connectivity to provide easy commute for people, he added. Gurgaon News

Also present on the occasion were Union minister of state for ministry of planning, urban development and housing and poverty alleviation Rao Inderjit Singh; Haryana's public works minister Rao Narbir Singh; municipal commissioner V Uma Shankar; divisional commissioner Dr D Suresh; commissioner of police Sandeep Khirwar; deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh; HUDA administrator Yashpal Yadav and others.

Gurgaon, Jharsa: Sewage line burst causes road to cave in

A ruptured sewage line at Jharsa caused a small portion of the road to cave in, leading to traffic diversions.

The authorities have swung into action, and repair work has already started.

Commuters between Jharsa and Sector 15 are the worst affected, and they have been advised to avoid this crossing for the next couple of days. However, commuters coming towards Jharsa from NH 8 will be able to use the slip road. Gurgaon Local News

Speaking to City Spidey, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Simardeep Singh, said, “We are trying our best to get the road operational as quickly as possible, but are unable to provide a definite timeline at the moment.” Gurgaon News

“This road is broken at so many places. Just a few months into repair and the condition is back to square one. Until they start using quality construction material, the road will given in again,” said Mamta Sharma, a resident of Sector 15.

Noida, Sec 74: Residents mount pressure for a U-turn

To avoid driving on the wrong side to enter or exit their sectors, residents of high-rises in sectors 74, 76, 77 and 78 are demanding a U-turn on the main road.

Residents have appealed to Noida traffic police to make a U-turn near the under-construction Metro station, providing easy passage to commuters driving towards the Sector 71 intersection. Noida Local News

Right now, commuters have to travel for a kilometre to enter sectors 74, 76, 77 and 78. They can also be seen driving on the wrong side of the road to move to the other side through a cut with a non-functional traffic signal.

SK Singh, a resident of Supertech Capetown, a residential society in Sector 74, told City Spidey said, “The situation is dangerous for residents and vehicle collisions are common. If the traffic police, or Noida Authority, open out a U-turn, it’ll greatly help us.”

When City Spidey contacted Layak Singh, city traffic inspector, he said, “I am aware of the problem, and will take up the matter with concerned authorities. But till then, residents will have to take the longer route.”

Strong thunderstorms fail to disrupt Saya Zenith's Teej celebrations

Of late, the rains are proving to be a nuisance for the Saya Zenith residents. A couple of days ago, they had to wade through ankle-deep water to reach their cars in the society's lower basement. This time the rains tried to foil the society's well-planned Teej function.

The society's women were looking forward to having a great time at the function. Luckily, the sudden rains failed to dampen their spirits. The windy thunderstorm meant all the arrangements had to be removed immediately. As soon as the showers stopped, the residents came out, but guess what? It started raining again! Indirapuram News

But the women of Saya Zenith moved swiftly. Some residents suggested moving things to the upper basement. But that would have been too damp and stuffy. So the women decide to wait until 7 pm. By 8 pm, the new arrangements were set up and the residents were good to go!

And that's how the women of Saya Zenith beat the rains!

Metro rail staff withdraw stir; Metro services to operate as usual

There is good news for the Delhi Metro commuters. The Delhi Metro will operate normally tomorrow as the non-executive employees of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday withdrew their ongoing strike.

DMRC said in a press statement that its non-executive employees strike has been called off after all the issues raised by the employees were addressed to their satisfaction. The agitating employees and DMRC management held a several rounds of discussions and came to an amicable solution.

DMRC managing director Mangu Singh and other senior officials were part of the deliberations. Following the withdrawal of strike, the Delhi Metro services will continue as per schedule tomorrow. On Saturday, a high-level meeting was convened by secretary ministry of Urban Development, DS Mishra, to resolve the issue. Among those present at the meeting included NCT chief secretary MM Kutty and DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh.

Sec 6, Dwarka: Girl's death shrouded in mystery

The death of a girl from Kamakshi Apartments in Sector 6 of Dwarka, is shrouded in mystery.

Residents of the society said they had come to know of her death on Saturday, whereas she had died the night before. According to the residents, they came to know about the death after a security guard informed the management, following which, an ambulance and the police came to the society. Sources said the girl's name was Swati and the police are investigating the cause of death. An fir has been filed in the case and the post-mortem report is awaited. Dwarka News

One of the residents said Swati lived in the society with her parents. Residents said no one had noticed her for quite some time. “She used to live in flat number 56 and was had studied Ayurveda," said a resident of the society. "We overheard an altercation in her flat on Friday night." Flat number 56 has been sealed by the police. 

Metro construction adds to traffic chaos in Mayur Vihar Phase I

When Pink Line of Delhi Metro starts, it will be a boon for Mayur Vihar Phase I residents as the region will get a direct metro link to South Delhi. But till that happens, for the present the area presents pure hell when it comes to traffic congestion.

There is no doubt that Mayur Vihar and adjoining areas, including Noida, will get direct link to North and South Delhi. There will be six metro stations in East Delhi — Mayur Vihar Phase I, Trilokpuri, Vinod Nagar East, Vinod Nagar, Vinod Nagar Depot and IP Extension before it connects to Anand Vihar metro station. Delhi Metro

But for the present, residents of the area are finding the going very tough. Commuters complain that one-way traffic regulation due to the construction of the Metro station in Mayur Vihar Phase I is leading to a chaos. One side of the road is permanently blocked. Daily commuters towards Mayur Vihar Phase III, Mayur Vihar Extension, Vasundhara Enclave and other neighboring areas are suffering.  Haphazardly parked e-rickshaws, metro feeder buses, auto rickshaws, illegally parked cars add to their woes.

DP Shah, a resident of pocket 4, Mayur Vihar Phase I, said, “One-way traffic is giving tough time every day. During the evening, the situation becomes worst. It would be hardly 200 m one-way road, while the rest is open from both sides. Same situation will prevail till the construction on Metro station is over. No idea when DMRC will complete the construction.”

A Metro official on the construction site said, “Almost 90 per cent work is completed. The rest 10 per cent work will be completed in next three- four months.”

But, Delhi Rail Metro Corporation (DMRC) has already missed two deadlines to start Pink Metro lane. Metro corridor was supposed to completed by March 2017, which is now extended to April 2018. There had been a hurdle in acquiring land in Trilokpuri and IP Extension area that is causing del a y on this mega metro project.

Hyde Park residents accuse builder of short changing them

One hundred residents of Hyde Park, a residential society in Sector 78 of Noida, on Sunday held a demonstration to express their ire against the builder for his failure to provide facilities promised by him at the time of booking the flats.

Residents say that they have been living in the society for the last two years and developer has not provided amenities like kids playing area and park as was promised. Noida News

Tarun Bharadwaj, a resident of Hyde Park, told City Spidey that there were around 1,000 families living in the society but there was no swimming pool or a club house as was promised. “In the absence of club house, no functions can be held,” he said. Apartment Management System

He also said that at regular intervals, residents get stuck in lifts as maintenance of the lifts was very poor. "In the name of security there is 20 to 25 security guards. But the CCTVs are not working properly at all,” Bhardwaj said.

Residents also complain that they were paying maintenance charge of Rs 2.40 per sqft and builder was providing bad service to the residents. “Builder also dumped the construction waste into the society premises,” residents complain.

“Basement is full of water after the rain, rampant seepage in house as well building of the society. The builder has also used bad quality of material at the time of construction,” Praveen Shukla, another resident of Hyde Park said.

When City Spidey tried to contact the maintenance staff of the society, they were not available for comment.

Electioneering picks up for FONRWA polls

Campaigning for elections to the Federation of Noida RWAs (FONRWA) has picked up pace as the D-day fast approaches on July 30. List of candidates contesting the polls was announced last week.

The electoral college for the polls includes all the presidents and general secretaries of all RWAs in the city. This year, 175 voters form the electoral college that includes RWA representatives, life members and founder members.

There are two opposing panels that have fielded 21 candidates each for the post of members of executive body. One team is led by NP Singh, current president FONRWA and the other led by Sukhdev Sharma, RWA president, B Block of Rajat Vihar. He is contesting in the polls for the first time.

While NP Singh (who is RWA president, Sector 35) is standing for the post of FONRWA president again, his team includes many old hands such as AN Dhawan, seeking re-election for the post of secretary general, Rajendra Shukla, Suresh Tiwari and K K Jain are contesting for the post of senior vice-president yet again.

Sharma on the other hand has a new panel with all new comers, with K Lal, (currently RWA president, Sector 23) for the post of secretary general, O P Yadav contesting for the post of treasurer, Gajendra Bansal, Girish Chandra Sharma and Vimlesh Sharma contesting for the post of senior vice-president. rwa management system

NP Singh, FONRWA president told City Spidey that he has the full support in across the city RWAs. “I had done so many things in the past but there is still so much work to be done in Noida,” he added.

“We will win the DND toll-free fight in Allahabad high court and now the matter is going to the Supreme Court. We have opened gyms in the park of the sector, city RWAs maintain their sector very well, chowki in-charge started meeting the RWA member to maintain the law and order in the sector,” he said. apartment management system

When City Spidey spoke to Singh about his agenda, he said getting the Noida Authority to convert lease hold to free hold property and laying underground electrical wiring were high on his agenda. He said he would request the UP government to set up a high quality bus stand in Noida and also work hard to improve the law and order situation.

Sukhdev Sharma, who is contesting first time in FONRWA election, banked on the feeling of change entertained by many residents. He said he was confident of getting the support of all RWAs in the poll. "Old FONRWA body work is appreciative but now some young energy should come into play. FONRWA is mother body of all RWAs of the city and we will work for all the residents,” he added.

He said he was very concerned about poor traffic management in city, deteriorating law and order situation and strengthening civic amenities. The most pressing need is to improve law and order situation, for which he will demand increasing strength of police personnel in the area.

“After winning the election our first work is to instal the water treatment plant for the sector, from which the residents will get clean drinking water,” he said adding he will work closely with Noida Authority officials for overall improvement of the city.

Noida cancels leaves of workers, deploys them to clear clogged drainage system

The waterlogging caused by the recent rains in Noida has exposed the unpreparedness of the Noida Authority. After the chaos was reported widely by the media, a concerned state government leaned on Noida to get the problem sorted out immediately. The Authority has now begun working overtime to get the city’ drainage system back on track

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Leaves of the concerned officials and weekly offs have been cancelled and they have been ordered to work ceaselessly till the drainage system is functional. Noida News

RK Mishra, Noida ACEO, told City Spidey that officials have been asked to work on weekends. The drains are being cleaned, he said. The Noida CEO Amit Mohan is personally monitoring the work, he said.

Work on the drainage system was hampered due to a tussle between the irrigation department and Noida, which he said has been sorted out now. NOC was to be taken from irrigation department, which has now been taken, he said.

Now, cleaning work is going on full swing and all the drains will be cleared soon, the official said.

Matiala MLA promises all help to Dwarka residents to shore up facilities

MLA of Matiala, Gulab Singh Yadav, on Sunday assured residents of different societies and the RWAs and managements that he will do his best to resolve all civic issues in the area. He was interacting with the residents after a tree plantation drive in the residential complex of Dwarka.

He told City Spidey at Lovely Home Apartments, Sector 5, that “We are distributing plants at societies and have a target to give 50,000 plants this season. Besides, I have interacted with all the residents and got to know their problems related to roads, electricity, cleanliness etc.”

The MLA said the problems in the area would be taken up on a priority basis. Yadav also said that at society level he would support through his fund. "For CGHS societies, I have promised them support from our MLALAD fund. In one society, I can manage Rs four lakh to Rs five lakh from the fund for their development work as support. Besides, we are going to give CCTV cameras too to the societies where they require,” the MLA said. Dwarka News

He distributed plants in various sectors of DDA pockets and cooperative group housing societies in Dwarka. Till now about 10000 plants of species like Neem, Jamun, Gudhal, Champa etc have been distributed. "We will be distributing the plants in weekends till we meet our target. If anyone wants plants, they can contact our office," said MLA Gulab Singh Yadav.

Shish Pal a member of the management of Lovely Home Apartments told City Spidey, "We informed the MLA about the problem o a dark back lane and damaged roads. We also asked him for help in adoption of a baron small triangular patch of land outside at corner of the society. We want that area to develop and maintain. He has assured to do the needful."