Noida: The fountains at Meghdootam Park in Sector 50 and Children’s Park in Sector 51 have reportedly remained non-functional for nearly two to two-and-a-half years, raising concerns among residents over stagnant water, cleanliness and the overall maintenance of the parks.
Residents said that rainwater has been accumulating in the water bodies of the defunct fountains. With the water remaining stagnant for long periods, mosquitoes and other insects are reportedly breeding in the area, raising concerns about sanitation and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
According to residents, repeated requests have been made to the Noida Authority for repairing the fountains, but no permanent solution has been implemented so far. They have urged the Authority to either restore the fountains or drain and properly maintain the water bodies until repairs are completed.
The issue has also renewed a wider debate among residents about the maintenance and beautification of public spaces in Noida. Residents claim that several parks and public facilities that were once regularly maintained are now showing signs of neglect.
Residents particularly recall the tenure of former Noida Authority Chief Executive Officer Ritu Maheshwari, saying that greater emphasis was placed on cleanliness, landscaping, beautification and maintenance of public infrastructure during that period.
They pointed to the installation and operation of fountains, decorative lighting and improvement of city entrances as some of the initiatives they remember. Residents also credited officials working in different departments at the time for efforts related to cleanliness, waste management and maintenance of public spaces.
They said that fountains across several Noida parks were repaired and operated during that period and continued functioning for some time afterwards. However, residents allege that once many of these fountains developed faults, they were not repaired.
n at several locations, including areas outside village streets and along major stretches of the city.
According to residents, transparency in park maintenance was also more visible earlier, with boards and signage in parks displaying information about maintenance contractors, tender amounts and the number of gardeners and sanitation workers assigned to a park. They said such information is less visible now.
Residents also recalled earlier drives against encroachment and unauthorised construction and said that such initiatives had contributed to the city’s overall appearance and sense of civic management.
The current condition of the non-functional fountains at two major parks has therefore become a symbol, for some residents, of what they describe as declining attention to public amenities.
Residents have appealed to Noida Authority CEO Krishna Karunesh to focus on cleanliness, greenery and beautification across the city. They have urged senior officials to visit public spaces, interact with residents and review the functioning of maintenance systems on the ground.
Residents said that repairing the fountains, cleaning stagnant water bodies and ensuring regular maintenance of parks should be treated as a priority, particularly during the monsoon when stagnant water can create additional sanitation concerns.
They have also sought regular monitoring of contractors responsible for park maintenance and greater accountability to ensure that public facilities remain functional after being developed.
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