NOIDA: Thirty-two illegal farmhouses, some with swanky swimming pools and lawns, encroaching upon 27 acres of Yamuna floodplains were razed by the Noida Authority on Tuesday. The land has an estimated market value of Rs 40 crore.
Since May last year, Noida has demolished nearly 200 illegal structures, including 190 farmhouses, built on the river’s floodplain.
In June 2022, it issued a public notice prohibiting any construction on the floodplains of the Yamuna and Hindon in Noida. The Authority warned that the costs of the demolition drives would also be recovered from the owners of such illegal farmhouses.
On Tuesday, a joint team comprising officials from Noida’s work circle 9, land records and the irrigation departments carried out the operation amid heavy police presence at Nagli Nagla, Asadullapur, Chhaprauli Bangar, and Dostpur Mangrauli villages in Sector 135.
Over 100 employees of Noida, three earthmovers and five dumpers were involved in the operation that encountered occasional protests.
The drive is a part of Noida’s sustained efforts to crack down on illegal constructions on the floodplains of the two rivers that were accorded protected status by the UP irrigation department in 2015.
Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari told TOI that any construction in the submerged area of Noida is strictly prohibited.
Urging people not to buy or sell illegal farmhouses built on the floodplains, she said: “The Noida Authority will initiatecriminal action against those involved in unauthorised construction in the riverbed and notified areas.”
Earlier in February, some farmhouse owners had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking a stay on the demolition drives by Noida. The court granted them 10 days to file objections while also instructing the Authority to maintain a status quo during the period.
The Authority received over 300 objections. After responding to them, it announced that no concessions would be given to owners of farmhouses constructed in the floodplain zone.
An earlier survey, conducted by the Noida Authority, had revealed there are around 1,000 farmhouses along the Yamuna.
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