The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a crucial order barring the continuation of building projects in Noida and Greater Noida that lack the necessary environmental clearances. This ruling comes in the wake of a plea highlighting the alleged unauthorized construction of residential and commercial complexes, which has violated environmental norms. The NGT, in its order dated December 9, directed that construction activities on such projects must cease until they obtain the required clearances, including the Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO), and Environmental Clearance (EC).
The plea, filed by BJP leader and former Municipal Corporator Rajendra Tyagi, raises concerns about large-scale illegal construction in the region, with reports of topsoil extraction and unauthorized borewells being dug. The petitioner’s counsel, Akash Vashishtha, presented extensive evidence showing the rapid development of illegal townships, villas, and apartments, alongside photographs indicating the erection of electricity poles and digging of borewells without mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs). The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, noted that authorities had confirmed that some realtors continued construction without obtaining the requisite environmental clearances. The tribunal ordered that such projects should not be allowed to proceed until they comply with all necessary environmental regulations.
Further, the NGT directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to prevent illegal plotting activities in areas that fall within floodplain zones, ensuring that no construction occurs in these environmentally sensitive areas without proper authorization. The petition also flagged concerns about the encroachment of over 40,000 hectares of fertile agricultural land, with more than 20,000 hectares in Greater Noida and Noida allegedly being illegally used for residential and commercial developments. These illegal activities have prompted the NGT to take swift action to safeguard the environment and ensure that builders comply with environmental norms. This order from the NGT underscores the importance of enforcing environmental regulations in urban development, particularly in rapidly growing regions like Noida and Greater Noida, where illegal construction has become a major concern. The tribunal’s ruling aims to curb the negative environmental impact and restore compliance with regulations to protect the region’s natural resources.
