Civic Issues in Shalimar Garden

1
Civic Issues in Shalimar Garden

• A presentation given to the
• District Magistrate, Ghaziabad
• and his Team of Officials
• During their visit to Shalimar Garden on
• Sunday, June 27, 2004
• at A-177, Shalimar Garden Main
• By
• Pradeep Gupta, President,
• J. Suriyanarayanan, General Secretary
• Gopal Bubna, Executive Member
• Shalimar Garden Kalyan Samiti (Regd.)
• Office 288, Shalimar Garden Extension I,
  Sahibabad 201 005 District Ghaziabad (UP)
• Phone [phone],
  9818641760

2
Index

• Introduction to Shalimar Garden
• Shalimar Garden Kalyan Samiti (Regd.)
• Why Civic Problems in Shalimar Garden ?
• Regular Enhanced Power Supply
• Clean and Enhanced Drinking Water
• Maintenance of Drainages, Street Lights
  Cleaning of Streets
• Issue of Ration Cards
• Updation of Voters List Issue of Voter I-Cards
• Emerging need for a Full Fledged Police Station
• Quick completion of Sewer Project
• Waste Management / Waste Disposal
• Maintenance of Parks
• Introduction of Bhagidari Scheme
• Primary Health Centre (PHC)
• Post Office
• Telephone Exchange
• Community Hall
• Rain Water Harvesting Pressing Need
• Shifting of Liquor Shop from the Colony

3
Introduction to Shalimar Garden

• Agricultural Land-turned-Residential Colony
• Present Population about 1 lakh
• Surrounded by GT Road, Ghaziabad-Wazirabad
• Bypass Sahibabad Industrial Area
• Was originally conceived as a residential colony
  in
• the Master Plan having single unit houses
  instead
• of the apartment system.
• Residents are majority service class and the
• gentry is educated lower middle class.
• Settlements are mostly apartments in 3-4 storied
• buildings.

4
Shalimar Garden Kalyan Samiti (Regd.)

• The Shalimar Garden Kalyan Samiti was set-up in
  1990 by the residents and registered under
  Societies Registrations Act 1860.
• At present the Samiti has about 400 residents/
  families as its Members
• The Samiti has also been encouraging the
  residents to realise togetherness, improve their
  cultural and social life
• The Samiti is being run by a team of office
  bearers and Executive Members with expertise and
  professional experience
• The Samitis Accounts are audited every year by
  reputed Auditing Firm and Annual Report
  Statement of Accounts along with Directory of
  Members are released, copies of which are
  circulated to all members in addition to civic
  bodies, dignitaries, public representatives,
  local and state government departments for
  information
• The Samiti has also been encouraging the
  residents NOT TO BE Defaulters to the Government

5
Why Civic Problems in Shalimar Garden ?

• Unplanned Construction
• Government Apathy
• Self created one

6
Regular and Enhanced Power Supply

• Power Cut takes place very often and no specific
  time fixed for load shedding.
• Power supply may be ensured for at least 20 hours
  a day to the colony and specific time for load
  shedding may be fixed with prior intimation to
  the residents
• Frequent fluctuations, low/ high voltage damage
  house holds very often - the low\ high voltage
  varies from 150 V to 320 V
• Request is hereby made to get sufficient
  transformers installed with required capacity,
  keeping in view the present population revenue
  from the colony
• Water Feeder may be installed at Nistalli Sub
  Station especially for Shalimar Garden and
  uninterrupted power supply may be ensured for at
  least 12 hours a day for Tila mode and Water Tank
  area
• Request is also made to improve the performance
  of complaint cell at the sub-station

7
Clean and Enhanced Drinking Water

• Water supply to this colony entirely depends on
  Power Supply, which is not sufficient. To be
  specific, the Water board needs 12 hours a day
  continuous power supply to fill the water tank,
  which does not exist
• Mixing of contaminated water creating various
  infectious diseases, due to poor quality/ old/
  broken pipes
• Samiti had written many letters to MNA, and
  initiated talks with JE (Water Board) but have
  not yielded required result
• Present water supply is only one-time a day for
  an average of one hour which may be extended to
  twice a day (atleast 1 hour each)
• Request is made to provide one more Water Tank to
  the colony and undertake a survey on quality of
  pipes and replace them / provide additional new
  pipes, before the roads are re-constructed

8
Maintenance of Drainages/ Street Lights/ Cleaning
of Streets

• The Kalyan Samiti has many times requested the
  Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) to depute enough
  labours to the colony to clean the existing
  drainages/ Nalas, streets/ lanes and also to
  undertake repairs maintenance of existing
  street lights/ lamp posts etc.. for which GNN is
  silent. GNN labours visit the colony only twice a
  year (1. Diwali 2. VIP Visit)
• Also, the existing Nalas and drains are open,
  which often cause accidents. These Nalas and
  Drains are to be closed with slabs/ pulias on a
  priority basis
• Request is hereby made to advise the Nagar Nigam
  officials to initiate Necessary Action on the
  above on a priority basis
• Request is also made to provide us with Dust Bins
  (preferably Bio-degradable and Non-degradable)
  and regular clearing mechanism may be worked out

9
Issue of Ration Cards

• More than 80 of the Shalimar Garden residents
  have moved-in from Delhi during last couple of
  years and have got settled
• These residents do not have Ration Cards issued
  by the authority atleast for the sake of
  Residence Proof.
• The Samiti had written to the District Supply
  Officer to organise a Camp in the colony to issue
  ration cards, which was assured that N.A. will be
  initiated immediately after the recent
  Parliamentary elections
• When we approached the officials after elections,
  we were informed that the Forms are getting
  printed in Lucknow and it will take one month to
  initiate NA in this regard
• Request is hereby made to kindly direct the
  concerned officials to expedite early action in
  this regard
• Kalyan Samiti is willing to undertake the
  coordination part in this regard with the
  authority

10
Updation of Voters List Issue of Voter I-Cards

• The Samiti has from time to time been forwarding
  Form-6 duly filled-in by the residents to the
  Ghaziabad Election Office. Before the
  Parliamentary elections, we also repeatedly
  requested the Election Officer to organise a Camp
  in the colony to updated the Voters list and
  issue Voters I-Cards.
• On the day of the recent elections, it was
  shocked to notice that most of the residents who
  have voted earlier during Assembly Elections have
  not found their names in the list and could not
  vote during the recent parliamentary election
• It is therefore requested to organise a Camp at
  the colony shortly to review/ update the existing
  list and issue Voters I-Cards.
• It is also suggested to have one common voters
  list for colony which may be utilised for all the
  elections
• The Samiti ensures all required cooperation in
  this regard to the District Administration

11
Emerging need for a full-fledged Police Station
for the Colony

• At present the Shalimar Garden has a Police
  Chowki under the control of Sahibabad Police
  Station.
• The Chowki does not have the required facility to
  file FIR. One has to lodge a complaint to the
  Chowki, which will be forwarded to SHO,
  Sahibabad.
• Also, the Chowki does not have enough Police
  Force to attend to the complaints/ night
  patrolling etc
• Above all, the Chowki does not even have a
  Telephone Connection
• Keeping the present population of the colony in
  mind and also the pressing need due to the
  illegal occupants from neighbour colonies like
  Shahid Nagar, Jawahar Park, Pappu Colony, Chabra
  Colony, Vikram Enclave etc.., It is requested
  that the existing Police Chowki in the colony may
  be expanded as a Police Station with a separate
  SHO and also with other required facilities/
  infrastructures for lodging complaints/ Filing
  FIRs etc.

12
Quick Completion of Sewer Project

• It is felt by all residents that there has been
  an Intolerable Delay in executing Sewer Line
  Project
• As the work was not initiated on a Phase-to-Phase
  manner, execution of this project itself has been
  making a menace throughout the colony in such a
  way that one has to go only by walk to move from
  one place to another within the colony
• The internal sewer pipes are yet to be installed
  at Shalimar Garden Main (A B Block)
• It is therefore requested that concerned
  officials/ contractors may be given a time-frame
  to complete the entire project, in order to save
  the residents from the menace and to help them
  move within the colony without fear

13
Waste Management / Waste Disposal

• Waste Management practices are restricted to
  collection of garbage from houses by paid labor
  who in turn dump the same at a convenient spot
  causing menace on a larger scale. The same gets
  blown away in case of winds causing management of
  the same to be difficult.
• Sanitary Inspector and Health Officer may be
  advised to visit the colony at frequent interval
  and initiate suitable action to retain hygienic
  environment and avoid infectious diseases
• It is also proposed that the District
  Administration may authorise the Samiti (or
  direct the Nagar Nigam) to work-out a Suitable
  Mechanism (similar to those being done in NOIDA
  Delhi) to dispose re-usable wastes and garbage
  from the colony

14
Maintenance of Parks

• There are 14 Parks inside Shalimar Garden.
• The Kalyan Samiti along with various Park Samitis
  have been maintaining these parks at present in
  regard to cleanliness, plantations etc.
• It is proposed that GDA may provide
  electrification, plantations, submersible pumps,
  and other related infrastructures to these parks,
  and Nagar Nigam may undertake Maintenance part
  for which the Residents are willing to cooperate
  through Kalyan Samiti.
• The Samiti has already taken up the above issue
  to GDA and GNN. DM may kindly direct the
  officials concerned to expedite the matter at an
  early date.

15
Introduction of Bhagidari Scheme

• It is proposed that the District Administration
  introduce a Scheme similar to Bhagidari of NCT
  of Delhi in Ghaziabad
• Under the scheme, we may simplify the process for
  obtaining power / water connections making it
  consumer-friendly and encourage good governance
• Also, the revenue collection such as house/ water
  tax, electricity bills may also be regularised
  and enhanced through the Scheme.
• Kalyan Samiti is willing to extend any such
  cooperation to introduce the scheme.

16
Primary Health Centre (PHC)

• At present the colony does not have any
  Government Hospital
• ESI Hospital in Rajender Nagar can cover only 30
  to 40 of residents due to eligibility
  restrictions
• Opening of CGHS Hospital would solve the problem
  to the maximumof 50.
• It is therefore strongly recommended that a
  Primary Health Centre (PHC) may be opened in
  Shalimar Garden with a qualified Doctor and other
  necessary infrastructure facilities on a priority
  basis

17
Post office

• There is no Post Office in this colony at
  present. One has to drive a long way either at
  Sahibabad or Delhi.
• The Kalyan Samiti had earlier approached the
  Department of Posts requesting them to open a
  Post Office in Shalimar Garden or at least
  nearby.
• As we have not received any positive response in
  this regard yet, we have no other way except to
  Knock the Doors District Administration to help
  us
• It is proposed that a Post Office may be opened
  in Shalimar Garden keeping in view the present
  population and emerging need

18
Telephone Exchange

• At present, the residents are getting telephone
  connections from UP Border and Rajender Nagar
  Exchanges and both of them are far away
• As more than 80 of the residents are working in
  Delhi, it has been felt very difficult to liaise
  with these exchanges for new connections,
  shifting, complaints, bill payments etc.
• As the migration of people from Delhi is getting
  increased day-by-day to this colony and also to
  neighborhoods, it would be of great help not only
  to the residents of Shalimar Garden but also to
  Rajender Nagar, if a Telephone Exchange is opened
  in Shalimar Garden or in the neighbourhood.
• Moreover, the Ghaziabad Telecom does not accept
  Delhi cheques, forcing us to open a separate
  account in local branch, which is again less in
  number.
• It is therefore requested that Ghaziabad Telecom
  may accept cheques drawn on any branch in the
  National Capital Region (OR) Delhi cheques, at
  least.

19
Community Hall

• It is requested the colony may be provided with
• a Community Hall and the Samiti is willing to
  extend its cooperation with the Authority for
  maintenance of the Hall.

20
Rain Water Harvesting - Pressing Need

• Due to insufficient quantity and contamination in
  corporation water being supplied to the colony,
  the residents are forced to use ground water for
  their day-to-day use through submersible pumps.
• Ground water is not safe for human consumption as
  all the septic tank effluents are being
  discharged into the ground through soak pits
  contaminating the ground water.
• Over a period of time, this would certainly
  result in Scarcity of Ground Water which would
  further damage the construction and would
  probably cause natural calamities
• It is, therefore, proposed to implement Rain
  Water Harvesting Scheme in the colony, for which
  the Samiti would extend all necessary cooperation
  to the District Administration/ civic bodies

21
Shifting of Liquor Shop from the Coony

• There exists one Liquor Shop (Theka) in the heart
  of the colony, that too in a residential plot,
  which has been creating a menace throughout the
  area
• As this road is the main access to Delhi,
  existence of this Theka at this place prevents
  working ladies to travel alone especially during
  nights
• Samiti had written to the Administration many
  times in the past to shift this shop to outside
  the colony
• Request is hereby made to direct the officials
  concerned to shift the Liquor Shop on a priority
  basis and save the residents

22
Shalimar Garden turned into Slum Garden

• Shalimar Garden, especially the A B Block, Main
  are being converted into Slum Area
• Plots are divided into many units to open shops,
  dumping kabadi materials etc
• Such activities not only violate Building
  Bye-Laws but also create huge revenue loss to the
  Government
• Kabadi godowns, factories in residential area are
  causing health hazardous, water, air noise
  pollution
• To sum up, these activities have totally
  HARRASSED THE RESIDENTS for which the Authority
  is SILENT

23
Unhygienic Condition at the Entry from Seema Puri
Border

• There are three Dhalaos on the Road No. 70
  connecting Seema Puri and Nand Nagri near
  Shalimar Garden. Municipal Solid Wastes are
  thrown in these Dhalaos which are not cleared
  regularly by MCD
• Out of the 3, only one which is at the entry to
  Shalimar Garden is operational. This has been
  creating huge menace to the citizen as this area
  is surrounded by residential colonies viz.
  dilshad colony, seema puri and shalimar garden
  (UP). But this area is further mis-utilised for
  throwing dead-animals, industrial wastes from
  neighbour SSI units, domestic wastes, drains
  etc.
• This area is within 4 KMs from Hindon Air Base
• This is the only direct access between Delhi and
  Shalimar Garden. The residents of Shalimar
  Garden, with the growing population are terribly
  affected due to this unhygienic condition.
• Request is made to draw the attention of MCD
  Commissioner on this serious issue and direct the
  officials concerned to initiate necessary action
  in order to remove the garbage and illegal
  occupancy on a permanent basis.

24
W A Z I R A B A D B Y P A S S
DLF
Vikram Enclave
Pappu Cly.
Dhalao
Dhalao
Shalimar Garden
Dhalao
R O A D No. 70
Dilshad Cly.
Movie Palace
N
E
W
Seema Puri
S
25
Violation of TRAI Norms by Cable TV Service
Providers

• The Cable TV Service Providers often enhance the
  cable charges without any valid reason and
  advance intimation
• No receipt being issued to the residents for the
  cable charges
• In spite of the ADM (FR)s intervention in this
  matter, the cable operators still have been
  threatening the residents for enhanced charges
  failing which they disconnect the cable
  transmission without any prior notice
• The Samiti has been receiving many complaints
  against cable service providers threatening the
  residents to pay enhanced amount and refusing to
  give any receipt/ consumer card for the same.
• The Cable TV operators may suitably advised not
  to enhance the charges without the consent of
  TRAI / District Administration and also issue
  Receipts to the consumers

26
Commercial Activities in Residential Plots

• Shalimar Garden was colonised as a purely
  Residential Colony. But, it has been noticed that
  over a period of time, many such plots which are
  purely residential, are being commercialised.
• Concerned officials are only listening to our
  requests and NOT initiating any Preventive
  Corrective Action against such illegal
  activities
• Moreover, some of the Builders have been selling
  the Parking Space, Basement to shop owners, who
  start various commercial/ manufacturing units,
  which create a huge Public Nuisance to the
  residents of the Apartments and neighbours
• Concerned officials may kindly be advised
  suitably not to encourage such commercialisation
  in any residential plot(s)

27
Code on Access to Information Request for
Circulation to all Departments

• It has been noticed that the Government Order
  issued by the Chief Secretary, Government of
  Uttar Pradesh in regard to Code on Access to
  Information has not been circulated to all the
  Departments
• Request is hereby made to arrange circulation of
  the GO to all Departments and also monitor the
  same

28
Conclusion

• On behalf of its Office Bearers, Executive
  Committee, Members and other Block-wise RWAs, the
  Shalimar Garden Kalyan Samiti is pleased to
  extend Thanks and Gratitude to the District
  Magistrate, Ghaziabad and his Team of Officials
  for kindly sparing his valuable time with us and
  listening to our Requests Suggestions.
• THANK YOU