Noida: Thousands of families living in Noida’s high-rise societies are facing another financial burden amid rising prices of fuel, electricity and daily essentials. This time, the concern is the steep increase in maintenance charges being imposed across several residential societies.
The latest case has emerged from Sector 150, Noida, where the management of Tata Eureka Park has increased maintenance charges by nearly 48 percent. According to a notice issued late Thursday night, the maintenance fee has been revised from ₹4.96 per sq ft to ₹7.30 per sq ft. Residents have also objected to the fact that the revised rates have been implemented retrospectively from April 1.
Residents protest over incomplete facilities
The decision has triggered strong resentment among residents. Notably, only a fortnight ago, residents had staged a protest against poor upkeep of common areas and the lack of several promised facilities.
Residents allege that despite paying substantial maintenance charges, they continue to face issues related to cleanliness, infrastructure and common-area maintenance. They argue that imposing a sharp hike without visible improvements in services is unjustified.
Similar hikes reported across multiple societies
The issue is not limited to Tata Eureka Park. Several residential societies across Noida have either implemented or proposed maintenance charge hikes ranging from 20 percent to 48 percent.
- Jaypee Wishtown clusters have reportedly witnessed maintenance fee hikes of up to 25 percent.
- Civitech Stadia has proposed increasing charges from ₹2.55 per sq ft to around ₹3.10 per sq ft, with a final decision still pending.
- Gulshan Botnia in Sector 144 has issued another hike notice barely two months after a previous increase. Residents have opposed the proposal and are expected to raise the matter during society meetings.
- Golf City (Plot-7) has increased maintenance charges from ₹1 per sq ft to ₹1.80 per sq ft. Residents claim that basic services, including lift operations and maintenance, remain unsatisfactory.
- Gaur Grandeur has also informed residents about a proposed increase, citing maintenance and infrastructure improvement requirements.
Management cites rising costs
Society managements and builders have defended the hikes, stating that increasing operational expenses have made revisions unavoidable.
According to management representatives:
- Minimum wages for workers have increased by nearly 22 per cent.
- Salaries of security guards, housekeeping staff, gardeners and other employees have risen significantly.
- Additional expenses due to GST and other operational costs have affected existing maintenance budgets.
- Maintenance charges have therefore been revised to offset the increased expenditure.
Residents question value for money
Residents, however, remain unconvinced. They argue that while managements are citing inflation and rising labour costs, there has been little visible improvement in services and infrastructure.
Many homeowners believe the repeated hikes are putting additional pressure on household budgets already strained by inflation. They have demanded greater transparency in society’s finances and accountability regarding the utilisation of maintenance funds.
With opposition growing across several residential communities, the issue is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as residents seek explanations and challenge the proposed increases through meetings and collective action.