Noida: Sector 96 continues to grapple with daily garbage burning, raising serious questions about the city’s Garbage-Free City claims. Thick smoke, foul smell and rising pollution have become a routine experience for residents, who allege that the Noida Authority has no concrete plan, no action strategy, only statements.
While local authorities repeatedly boast about cleanliness drives and waste-management systems, the on-ground reality in Sector 96 presents a stark contrast. Residents say that despite multiple complaints, there has been no visible improvement.
Adding to the concern is Noida’s alarming performance in national pollution rankings.
Noida is among the most polluted cities in India
Amit Gupta, RTI Activist, claims that Residents will be thrilled to know, with a hint of dark sarcasm, that in November, Noida was ranked the second most polluted city in the country. And in December, the city seems determined to outperform, maintaining the number one spot so far.
According to air-quality data, the standard safe level for PM2.5 is 40.
India’s national average hovers around 50.
But the Delhi–NCR average has shot up to 224 and Noida stands at 217, nearly six times the safe limit.
This means residents are breathing dangerously toxic air every single day.
Who is responsible?
Citizens sarcastically “thank” the following for this remarkable achievement:
The Noida Authority
Its water and civil departments and their contractors
The Pollution Department
The District Administration
The overall system
And not to forget, the general public, many of whom remain indifferent despite the worsening crisis.
As garbage continues to burn openly and pollution levels break records, residents of Sector 96 say they are left only with smoke, frustration and unanswered questions.