2 tony south Delhi colonies in spat over erecting gate

New Delhi, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two posh south Delhi colonies next to each other are caught in a spat as Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of Alaknanda has protested the proposed plan of Greater Kailash II residents to install a gate next to Don Bosco School.

There has been a furore on the installation of the gate over the weekend as pointed out by GK-II RWA, by a group of persons, without any approval/NOC from the concerned authorities and objections by SDMC and Delhi Police at the site of installation.

"We as a Residents Welfare Association of Alaknanda would like to place a strong protest against the installation of this gate on a main road", said a petition by RWA Alaknanda to SDMC and Delhi Police. Alaknanda residents have also attached a photograph which shows that the concerned RWA has started work on installation of the gate without any requisite permissions.

The Alaknanda RWA said in the petition, "It has come to our knowledge that the Resident Welfare Association of Greater Kailash II is planning to install a gate at the entrance of the Gurudwara Road next to Don Bosco School", it said. The objection is that this is a connecting road for the residents of Alaknanda to reach the ring road and is being used by nearby schools as well. Further this is not an internal colony road which can be gated.

On an average thousands of tax payers of Alaknanda and nearby areas are using the said road. Furthermore, Alaknanda RWA said that due to the opening of the underpass (Inder Mohan Bharadwaj Marg) connecting to Jasola, Alaknanda is already experiencing heavy traffic. The Gurudwara Road's traffic signal is already a congestion point as both sides of the road have cars and school buses parked.

"Installation of a gate at this junction will further narrow the space and cause more traffic jams. Closing the gates at night will hinder flow of traffic for emergency services like ambulances and fire brigade", the Alaknanda RWA said in the petition. The spat has also led to GK II RWA swinging into action and asking residents for suggestions.

In a letter to residents dated June 7, Sanjay Rana, President, GKII RWA said, "Last evening a meeting with few residents was held at my residence around 6:30 PM, subsequent to furore after initiation of installation of steel gates by a group of persons, without any approval/NOC from the concerned authorities) and objections by SDMC and Delhi Police at the site of installation."

Rana said RWA clarified its stand (as explained vividly in the GKII RWA circular no 7 dated May 20; taking feedback and suggestions for colony gates along with guidelines for installation of such gates. Rana said installation of gates, especially on the main road, should be done only after taking NOCs and approvals, to avoid any legal hassles thereafter as RWA is responsible and accountable.

It was decided that interested residents shall submit the signed proposal to GKII RWA who shall take forward the subject with the authorities for NOC and approvals. Taking cognizance of the spat, Rana said, "It was also discussed and agreed upon by all present in the meeting that we should write facts respectfully, without maligning any individual/group of the colony to maintain decorum of communication and clarity to residents".

As per the guidelines framed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), for installation of gates for security purposes in colonies, the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned MCD zone is authorized to give permission for creation of gates. The conditions attached to the permission are that the concerned RWA will prepare the layout plan of the colony showing the provision of iron gates at limited entry and exit points in the colony.

In addition, the RWA will have to obtain no objection certificate (NOC) from the Traffic Police Department of Delhi Police before applying to the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned MCD zone.

Source: IANS