Residents of Supertech Ecovillage 1 in Greater Noida organise sit-in protest over pending demands

NOIDA: Residents of Supertech Ecovillage 1 in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida West have resorted to an
indefinite sit-in to protest the lack of basic amenities.
Protestors’ demands include better electrical infrastructure, along with rates at par with Noida Power
Company Limited (NPCL) for an increase in per kilowatt power load if required by residents, basement
drainage cleaning to avoid flooding during rains, completion of car parking and rationalising high charge
for covered parking.
Residents also demand a lift audit, proper water drainage system and STP construction and the
implementation of authority policy with regard to pets and stray dogs in the complex.

The protest, which began on April 23 over 10-point demands, has taken a turn for the worse over two
additional points in the last couple of days.
Specifically, electricity rates are at par with NPCL for an increase in per kilowatt, and rationalising high
charges for covered parking.
While the builder maintains that talks were underway for the other ten demands, the two additional
demands were not part of the initial talks and require further inquiry into the financial implications.
“Currently, Supertech is charging Rs 29500/- (including GST) to increase the power of 1 KW, but if we
compare it with NPCL, the latter charges only Rs 110/- for a 1 KW power increase. We demand
that Supertech charge as per NPCL rate,” said resident, Shailendra Gupta.

However, Nitish Arora, director of Supertech Group handling the Ecovillage 1 complex, told TOI that this
is not a rational demand.
“NPCL is able to provide the power increase per KW at Rs 110 because all the electrical infrastructure is
available and provided by the authority. Whereas we have to provide the same infrastructure of
transformers, back-up etc., on my own account. Still, I sat down with a group of residents in an earlier
meeting and have offered to reduce the charge by 40% and made it Rs 15000+GST from Rs 25000+GST
earlier,” said Arora.
The second demand, for rationalising covered parking rates, too is contended.

“Residents have demanded that, in order to convert from open parking to covered parking, only Rs
50000/+ GST should be charged, as was the case 3-4 years back. But the builder is charging
approximately Rs 5 lakhs,” said Vijay Chauhan, another resident and protestor.
“To offer additional covered parking at Rs 50,000 is not possible. Covered parking is related to the
common area maintenance (CAM) part,” Arora contended, adding that they are, nevertheless, willing to
offer a 25 per cent discount on the same.
“For both the reductions I had to take the approval of our Supertech board,” he added.