Noida Authority Reclaims Rs 480 Crore Floodplain Land from Encroachers
The Noida Authority, alongside the district administration, reclaimed over 150 acres of floodplain land in Sorkha village. The land, valued at approximately Rs 480 crore, had been unlawfully occupied by colonisers who had constructed boundary walls and plotted the area for unauthorised sale. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by the Noida Authority to protect the city’s green spaces and prevent the illegal transfer of land.
The land in question is located along the Hindon River, an area highly prone to flooding during the monsoon season. Despite this vulnerability, encroachers had occupied the land and attempted to sell it to unsuspecting buyers, causing significant financial risks to those who purchased properties without verifying the legal status of the land. Acting on a tip-off, Noida Authority officials conducted a thorough inspection of the site, which led to the initiation of a large-scale demolition drive. Over 50 personnel from the Authority’s work circle-6, with police assistance, carried out the demolition operation, which took approximately three hours to complete. This marked a successful reclaiming of the land from the encroachers who had taken advantage of the area’s flood-prone status, disregarding its legal restrictions. The recovered land is now under the direct control of the Noida Authority, ensuring it will be preserved for future urban planning and not subject to illegal developments.
The CEO of the Noida Authority, Lokesh M, also issued a stern advisory in October 2024, cautioning potential land buyers against purchasing property in floodplain or ecologically sensitive areas. He highlighted that land transactions made without proper verification often lead to financial losses, as the Authority regularly takes action to reclaim such properties. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying the legal status of any land before making purchases. In addition to reclaiming the floodplain land, the Noida Authority also targeted other illegal constructions in the region. A multi-storey building in Wajidpur village, built on land already acquired by the Authority, was found to have been constructed without the necessary permits. Despite several notices being issued to the encroachers and a status quo order from the Allahabad High Court in August 2024, illegal construction continued. As a result, the Noida Authority sealed the unauthorised building in December 2024, with police assistance ensuring that the premises remain sealed.
Further legal proceedings are now underway to address the encroachments in the region. The Noida Authority has identified more than 200 illegal buildings within its jurisdiction, and preparations are in place for additional demolitions and sealing operations in the coming weeks. These actions are part of the Authority’s broader efforts to control unlawful land usage and safeguard public interest in the region. The successful reclamation of the floodplain land and the sealing of the illegal building highlight the Noida Authority’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the city’s urban planning and legal frameworks. By taking swift and decisive action, the Authority is sending a clear message to encroachers and developers that illegal activities will not be tolerated.
For the residents of Noida and surrounding areas, these measures provide a sense of relief and confidence in the Authority’s ability to protect the city’s land from unauthorised and illegal activities. It also acts as a cautionary tale for potential land buyers, urging them to conduct due diligence before engaging in property transactions, especially in areas prone to flooding or other environmental risks. As Noida continues to grow, urban planners and the local administration are keen to ensure that development occurs in a sustainable and lawful manner. The successful reclamation of land in Sorkha village sets a positive precedent for future efforts to preserve the city’s natural resources while curbing illegal land transactions. The process of land recovery is essential not only for maintaining the area’s ecological balance but also for upholding the city’s overall growth and development objectives. The Noida Authority’s proactive stance on encroachments and illegal constructions serves as a significant step toward a more regulated and transparent real estate market in the region, ensuring that the city’s future remains protected from unlawful land practices.
