IIT nod puts Shahdara green drive on track

NOIDA: For the first time in India, an IIT had been asked to conduct a study on how greenery offsets stench and toxic fumes emanating from effluents flowing in a drain. Having received the go-ahead from IIT-Roorkee, Noida Authority will launch a unique 'green' drive along the 6-km long stretch of the Shahdara drain that flows through Noida, from east Delhi and into the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj.Starting July 17, Noida will plant 7,500 aromatic trees and 15,000 fragrant shrubs to beautify the area, with 1,500 saplings of 14 different varieties of trees to be planted today.
According to officials, the plan is to develop the stretches on either side of the drain into a fragrant green zone. The drain enters Noida at Sector 14A and travels about 3.7 km through areas such as sectors 15A, 16A (Film City) and 18. It mostly carries untreated water from Delhi.
TOI had last month run an extensive campaign highlighting the plight of the people living along the drain.
"Since Shahdara drain is under Delhi's jurisdiction, there is not much Noida Authority can do about it, even though we do not wish to allow the pollutants to enter our city," said Raman. "However, on our part we have undertaken several measures to deal with the problem of toxic fumes and foul stench emanating from it, which not only damages electronic goods, but also pollutes our environs," he added.
Raman explained the Authority had earlier successfully conducted trials by planting about 400 plants along the drain after Film City occupants and residents with homes in adjoining areas had written to CM Akhilesh Yadav.
The plan, which will be inaugurated on Friday, is expected to be complete by August 15.
"The green plan is estimated to cost Rs 3 crore," said Rajesh Prakash, additional CEO, Noida.