G. Noida villagers seek to rewrite their identity

In a town named Sadullapur, located in Greater Noida, villagers are seeking to change their identity after more than a decade of waiting for basic amenities promised under the 'smart villages' program. Since being selected in 2015, residents have struggled with poor roads, inadequate drainage, and stalled development, leading some to demand a name change to Bharatpur.

Despite the village's promising location near Greater Noida West, with highrises surrounding it, the local roads remain unpaved and turn into muddy tracks during monsoon season, making travel difficult. Even a healthcare facility just 3 km away is inaccessible due to the poor roads and congestion, with a journey taking an hour.

The only pond in Sadullapur, originally promised a tiled walkway, currently has an iron net installed, while the surrounding mud banks erode during heavy rain, posing a safety hazard. The village's sole hospital, 18 km away, makes access to treatment even more challenging for those unable to afford private healthcare.

A group of residents has petitioned the state government to rename Sadullapur as Bharatpur, arguing that the village's name has contributed to its lack of development. The name change proposal, supported by local realtor Kamal Nagar, aims to attract investment and improve the village's image. However, not all villagers support the change, as some believe addressing infrastructure issues should be the priority.

The administrative process for the name change has begun, with the state government having written to relevant authorities regarding the proposal. Once the Gautam Budh Nagar police commissioner and sub-divisional magistrate of Dadri provide a no-objection certificate, the process will move forward in Meerut. GNIDA, the implementing agency, has stated that development work in Sadullapur is on hold due to the monsoon and plans to resume in July.