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The Noida Authority has begun returning 31 hectares of residential plots to farmers in Begumpur, Sector 145, ending a two-decade land dispute. Originally acquired in 2007, the land faced prolonged legal battles, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling in 2022 upholding the acquisition with updated compensation terms. Officials confirmed that legal clarity has now been achieved, and demarcation activities were carried out under heavy security. Around 2,200 farmers are expected to benefit. The move is seen as a major step towards resolving long-standing acquisition issues and restoring trust among affected communities while supporting Noida's continued urban development initiatives.
A major development was witnessed in Noida as the Noida Authority initiated the process of returning residential plots to farmers whose land had been acquired for urban development. The move, announced last week, marked the resolution of a land dispute that had persisted for over two decades and had seen numerous court battles and bureaucratic delays since the early 2000s. Advertisement
According to officials, the process was started with the formal takeover and demarcation of 31 hectares of land in Begumpur, located in Sector 145. Pillars were installed to mark the boundaries, and the activity was carried out under tight security. Senior police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), supervised the operation alongside a large police presence to ensure smooth proceedings.
The origins of the dispute date back to November 2007, when the Noida Authority issued notifications under the Land Acquisition Act to acquire 108 hectares of land. However, a stay order was issued by the Allahabad High Court in February 2008, temporarily halting the acquisition process. Although seven hectares were acquired by the Authority in June 2008 after the stay was lifted, the remaining 101 hectares were only acquired in June 2013. Compensation was distributed between January 2011 and December 2013.
Sector 145, where the land is situated, had been developed into a residential hub during 2013-14. In a move to compensate affected farmers, the Authority had agreed to return developed plots equivalent to 5% of the acquired land. While allotment letters for 31 hectares had been issued, the actual transfer of possession had been delayed for years due to continuous legal challenges.
The legal battle escalated when about 40% of the farmers approached the Allahabad High Court in 2011, challenging the compensation terms. A significant milestone was reached on 13 September 2019, when the High Court upheld the legality of the acquisition but ordered that compensation be paid at the prevailing market rate for farmers who had not yet accepted payments.
Further appeals were made by both the Authority and some farmers to the Supreme Court. However, on 9 May 2022, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's ruling. A review petition filed by the Authority regarding the compensation amount was dismissed on 2 November 2022. Similarly, another review petition filed by a group of farmers was also quashed by the Supreme Court on 17 May 2023.
Following the Supreme Court's directions, a fresh award was declared by the Noida Authority on 28 January 2023, offering compensation based on the market rates determined by the 13 September 2019 order. A final notification for the land was issued by the district administration on 19 July 2024, officially confirming the legal status of the 31 hectares earmarked for allotment.
The commencement of the land return process has brought a sense of relief and hope to around 2,200 farmers who are set to benefit from it. After years of uncertainty and legal wrangling, a path towards resolution has finally been established. With legal hurdles now cleared, the Noida Authority's efforts are expected to restore faith among affected communities and demonstrate a strong commitment to resolving long-pending land acquisition issues.
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