NOIDA: Kasna market, situated around 6 km from Greater Noida’s city centre, Pari Chowk, has 600 shops, eateries, outlets and sees a daily footfall of nearly 10,000 people but no toilets. Raghuraj Bhati, president of Kasna Vyapar Mandal, says, “Since 1995, the market has been growing, and now, it caters to all kinds of commercial needs, including retail, hardware, electronics, C&D, and chemists. We have been demanding public toilets in the market area for years. But to date, there has been no redress on the matter,” he said. Greater Noida’s bustling marketplaces are a reflection of the city’s recent rapid growth. Markets in Kasna, Surajpur-Dadri and Aichher near Sector 37 witness a daily footfall of up to 10,000. Yet essential civic amenities, like public toilets, have failed to keep up with the trading hubs’ rising popularity. The lack of washrooms forces shopkeepers, mainly men, to relieve themselves outdoors, but the situation is particularly difficult for women and children. Traders’ associations have expressed their frustration, stating that despite numerous requests for assistance, there has been no response from authorities. Even closer to the city centre, around 5 km away, is Aichher market. A local shopkeeper said, “Around 20,000 people live in the Aichher village now and they come to the market for their daily needs. The footfall in the market has risen manifold in the past 20 years. All of them, shoppers and traders alike, have to manage without toilets in the area.” However, after a recent intervention by Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has taken note of the issue and plans are under way to build a toilet for the market soon. “We have been told that estimate work is in progress and the work of construction will commence after tendering,” the shopkeeper said. Reena Singh, a resident of the village, said she plans her trips to the market in a manner so that she has to spend as little time as possible there. “I try to complete my work in the market within an hour because there are no toilets. Women have to face greater difficulties with public convenience facilities anyway,” she said. Another marketplace that has grown with the city of Greater Noida is the Surajpur-Dadri road market, roughly 4 km from Pari Chowk. But even with over 300 shops, showrooms and outlets, the market has no dedicated toilet facility. Amit Nagar, who lives in the area, said that although commercial activity increased, the state of civic amenities remains like it was 20 years ago. “Public health and dignity should be at the forefront of Greater Noida’s development agenda,” said Nagar. Alok Singh, a resident of Greater Noida, said Greater Noida’s civic development has not been at par with Noida. The current state of convenience facilities does not cater to the needs of the surrounding population. “The condition of Aichher, Kasna, Surajpur-Dadri road are examples. They are now bustling commercial hubs and it is time authorities addressed the concerns of the missing basic facilities there,” said Singh. The lack of facilities extends beyond marketplaces too, he says. “Areas such as the Surajpur court and collectorate, frequented by large numbers of litigants including many women, are equally in need of clean, accessible toilet facilities,” he said. TOI had reported on this issue last year. While GNIDA officials maintained that surveys for toilets are being done in commercial areas, a response on toilets for these markets is awaited.
