New Delhi:
A year ago, a drive from Noida to Delhi would mean greenery all around.
Today, a concrete wall greets you for a couple of kilometers. When one stops to find out what has changed, all one sees is construction and more construction.
When asked the UP government officials present there refuse to speak about it.
No one is willing to speak. But a look at the pillars gives one a good idea. These Ashoka Pillar lookalikes have elephants instead of lions.
This is seems to be the latest of UP chief minister Mayawati's sandstone memorials.The entire bank of the Yamuna taken over - what was once morning walkers' delight.
"There will be a statue of Kanshi Ram and Mayawati," says a contractor.
But Noida's residents, such as Vineet Chaudhary don't exactly share Mayawati's sentiments.
"I am told more than 11 hundred crores is being spent. How does it help a citizen like me? For some person's political gain, why should this kind of money be spent," asks Chaudhary.
Vineet filed an RTI in protest and was told that only 22 trees were cut. But thousands of them seem to have disappeared.
Not deterred, he wants to file another application.
Vineet is not the only voice against this monumental waste of public money, but will that change anything?