The Noida Authority in Uttar Pradesh has demolished 32 unauthorized farmhouses encroaching on the Yamuna floodplains. These opulent structures, valued at Rs 40 crore, were part of nearly 200 illicit constructions targeted by Noida's strict enforcement of environmental regulations. The Authority is determined to combat illegal construction on the floodplains and has emphasized that demolition costs will be recovered from the property owners. The crackdown highlights the Authority's commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development.
Under a firm police watch, the Noida Authority bulldozed thirty-two unauthorized farmhouses, encroaching 27 acres of the Yamuna floodplains, on Tuesday. These opulent farmhouses, complete with high-end pools and sprawling lawns, sat on land valued at Rs 40 crore.
Over the past year, Noida's rigorous enforcement of environmental regulations led to the destruction of nearly 200 illicit structures, 190 of which were farmhouses established on the river's floodplain. A public notice in June 2022 explicitly banned construction in the floodplains of the Yamuna and Hindon in Noida. The Authority emphasized that demolition costs would be recuperated from the property owners responsible for such unlawful constructions.
A coordinated team, including officials from Noida's work circle 9, land records, and irrigation departments, executed the operation, with Nagli Nagla, Asadullapur, Chhaprauli Bangar, and Dostpur Mangrauli villages in Sector 135 being the focal points. Over 100 Noida employees, three earthmovers, and five dump trucks were part of the process, which faced intermittent protests.
This demolition drive highlights Noida's unwavering commitment to combat illegal constructions on the floodplains of the two rivers, declared protected areas by the UP irrigation department in 2015.
Ritu Maheshwari, Noida CEO, has stringently outlawed any construction activity in the submerged areas of Noida. Encouraging public compliance, she advised against buying or selling illegal farmhouses on the floodplains. The Noida Authority intends to pursue legal action against those involved in unsanctioned construction within the riverbed and specified areas.
In February, some property owners sought intervention from the Allahabad High Court to halt the Noida Authority's demolition drives. The court allowed them ten days to file their objections, instructing the Authority to maintain the status quo during that period. Despite receiving over 300 objections, the Authority remained resolute, offering no concessions to the owners of floodplain-constructed farmhouses post-review.
According to an earlier survey by the Noida Authority, approximately 1,000 farmhouses line the Yamuna.
In conclusion, the Noida Authority's staunch commitment to enforcing floodplain regulations is manifest in its intensive and ongoing crackdown on illegal constructions. The Authority's actions send a clear message about the importance of respecting environmental boundaries for sustainable development, and the consequences faced by those who choose to disregard them.
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