KANPUR: Encroachers have got their hands on the green belt assigned from Yasoda Nagar to Kidwai Nagar crossing in the city’s south area. It now looks more as the pollution belt. The residents around the roads blame on them for the problems.
They were bringing in use vacant space for servicing vehicles, dumping building materials and running a shop selling pan masala and tobacco pouches. The Kanpur Development Authority provided as many as 30-feet space for the development of the green belt.
From Yasoda Nagar to Kidwai Nagar, there was a plan to grow trees, plants and other plantations. It was sadly not sustaining and the dream of the green belt did not materialize. The encroachers were conceited as they did not hesitate in recourse to unnecessary fight.
One resident said that if the plants were placed in the ground the situation would have been totally different. At least the greenery would have been presenting a satisfactory look. Constant running of vehicles creates noise pollution and welding, garbage burning, blowing off dust mar the worsened situation further.
They also added even both the civic bodies like Nagar Nigam and KDA remain fully aware of these developments but they seldom care to start an anti-encroachment drive from the space earmarked for the green belt.
Whenever the road is laid out there is left ample space for green belt in mid of the road. This is done mainly to develop a pollution-free environment. In view of the rising pollution all around us, it becomes utmost important to inhale clean air for road users.
But the purpose appears to have not been followed completely. Its laxity concerns everyone. There certainly lies a big responsibility upon the civic bodies. However, these government bodies have adopted a different approach towards it.
The daily movements of the heavy vehicles only increase the level of dust which directly enters into the lungs of the passers-by. The locals pointed out that the purpose of the green belt was not solved and the pollution was increasing around this space.
