In 2 weeks, Greater Noida seals 100 illegal flats, frees over 54k sqm on Hindon floodplains

Noida: Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has reclaimed more than 54,000 square metres of encroached land across five villages over the past two weeks, stepping up enforcement against illegal construction in environmentally sensitive areas along the Hindon floodplain.Officials said the drive, carried out over the last 16 days, covered Kheda Choganpur, Bhanota, Haibatpur, Chipiyana Khurd and Rohillapur. As part of the action, eight unauthorised residential towers comprising more than 100 flats were sealed, and several illegal structures were demolished.
On Friday, the Authority's team demolished unauthorised construction at Shivam Enclave in Haibatpur village, which lies within the Hindon floodplain. The operation cleared nearly 7,000 square metres (sqm) of encroached land. GNIDA general manager (project) AK Singh said the action was taken in compliance with directions issued by the National Green Tribunal.This marked the second major enforcement action in Haibatpur in less than 10 days. On Jan 28, the Authority had reclaimed around 6,000 sqm of land in the same village. Officials said the area falls within a restricted zone where construction is prohibited, but building activity had continued despite repeated instructions to stop work.Another demolition drive on Friday targeted Chipiyana Khurd village, where illegal houses and boundary walls spread over about 2,000 sqm were removed. Earlier, on Thursday, teams from GNIDA's project and land records departments dismantled boundary walls and other structures raised illegally over 18,000 square metres across two land parcels in Rohillapur. Singh said the action followed complaints of unauthorised plotting in the floodplain.In Bhanota village, the Authority has carried out multiple drives this year. On Feb 4, illegal construction covering about 10,000 sqm was demolished, freeing land officials valued at around Rs 20 crore. GNIDA said colonisers had attempted to develop an unauthorised colony by fencing the land and dividing it into plots. A warning was issued that any attempt to rebuild would attract legal action.Earlier, on Jan 20, another 11,340 sqm of land in Bhanota was cleared after colonisers allegedly began unauthorised plotting by erecting boundary walls and markings without approvals.Action was also taken in Kheda Choganpur on Jan 29, when eight residential towers built on a plot in a notified area were sealed. Officials said the towers, which contained more than 100 flats, had been constructed without approved layout plans or building sanctions. The flats were vacant at the time of sealing, and notices had been issued earlier. An FIR has also been registered in the case.Additional chief executive officer Sumit Yadav said construction in notified areas without prior permission or sanctioned maps was not permitted, and that action against illegal construction and unauthorised colonies would continue. He urged prospective buyers to verify land records and approvals with GNIDA's land records department before purchasing land or flats.