On Sunday, 03rd September 2023, the residents of Omaxe Phases 1 and 2 came together in a Candle March to express their dissatisfaction with building facilities.
Just a week before, i.e. 27th August 2023, residents of Omaxe Phases 1 and 2 protest against the builder New Chandigarh over lack of amenities. Besides that, they claim that this building lacks basic necessities such as water, electricity, and security. People claimed that, despite the company’s lofty promises, it sold them homes at exorbitant prices with no amenities. Likewise, protesters congregated at the housing society’s gate. They chanted anti-builder slogans and urged immediate resolution of their issues. In fact, Residents lodged multiple complaints with the builder and his office, but they are still awaiting a response. Not to mention, they also threatened to escalate their protest if their demands were not met.
RWS President Pradeep Gupta’s Statement
As per RWS President Pradeep Gupta, Omaxe’s megaproject started almost 15 years ago. However, the basic facilities are still lacking, he emphasized. He went on to say that people’s problems are becoming more severe. Initially, the builder charged Rs 13.75 for power backup, abruptly raised it to Rs 32, later reduced to Rs 28 due to outcry which is still not a justified price as diesel prices were around Rs 52 when they were charging Rs13.75 per unit and now a days diesel prices stands somewhere around Rs 85. Additionally, we paid Rs 17,000 per kW for generator backup, and min 4kW to max 15kW is purchased by every residents here, amassing crores for 2000 kW capacity. The current D.G. load is insufficient in light of the society’s growing population. Hence, we have observed frequent power cuts over the last 2-3 months since the onset of this year’s summer. Furthermore, the underground cables responsible for distributing electricity throughout society are of poor quality and under capacity. As a result, these cables often endure damage, causing extended power outages, particularly noticeable in peak summer. In addition, Omaxe employs Facility Plus Estate Management to take care of the facilities and charges, on average, Rs. 3000 per property as a maintenance charges. According to the company’s statement, about 3,000 families have received ownership rights. For the upkeep of amenities, which regrettably deteriorate over time, monthly collections are crores of rupees. As a result of this inadequacy, Omaxe residents protest against the builder New Chandigarh.
Problem with Power Outage
People are also afraid to use the lifts because of the insufficient power supply. Furthermore, the Punjab government does not even provide them with an electricity subsidy. Considering that he is not a PSPCL direct customer. To address this issue, they approached the High Court, but the court said they would hear the case next month. After all, the Resident Welfare Society made a firm commitment. They vowed to protest every Sunday until Omaxe authorities provided a satisfactory response.
Problems of Drinking Water
Similar is the situation with drinking water as the builder does not seem to be able to supply it to its capacity. At present, approximately half of the flats are vacant. In short, this raises concerns about the future, as full occupancy could pose significant challenges. In contrast, a decade ago, they charged crores with promises of a club, community center, and religious space. However, all these remain undelivered till date. At the same time, improper upkeep of parks, streets, and public spaces is evident.
Conclusion
The protest against the builder New Chandigarh is the latest in a string of demonstrations by residents of Omaxe. In fact, in recent years, residents of several Omaxe societies have staged protests against the builder. Additionally, they allege denial of basic amenities and poor construction quality. The protests put pressure on the builder, creating uncertainty about how the company will respond to the latest protests. Meanwhile, residents of Omaxe Housing remain hopeful. Finally, they anticipate their voices gaining recognition and their concerns finding resolution. Stay updated on the latest Tricity news by staying connected with NewsChandigarh. So, don’t miss out on any updates, and keep an eye on our website for the entire buzz!
