Peripheral Roads to Demarcate Abadi Plots for Villages Along Noida Expressway
Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a project to construct peripheral roads around 20 villages along the Noida Expressway. This initiative, which is part of the broader effort to tackle encroachment and clarify land boundaries, aims to demarcate developed residential or “abadi” plots, preventing illegal occupation of Noida Authority land.
The move is part of a larger package of recommendations submitted by a committee formed by the UP government in February 2024. This committee was tasked with addressing the long-standing demands of farmers whose land was acquired for industrial projects. Farmers have been seeking additional compensation, improved rehabilitation, and residential plots within the areas from which their land was taken. In August 2024, the committee delivered its report, proposing that the Noida Authority conduct physical surveys and demarcate the boundaries of these villages. The goal is to establish clear and legal limits for the abadi land, using satellite imagery dating back to 2011. Recent surveys in villages such as Shahpur Govardhan and Jhatta have shown that the boundaries of these villages have expanded significantly—by up to 2 times—since the original cutoff date of June 30, 2011.
To address this issue, the Noida Authority is conducting an extensive survey of the villages in question, using satellite imagery to accurately map their current boundaries. This initiative also includes addressing the issue of leaseback regularisation. Previously, the leaseback regularisation limit was increased from 450 sqm to 1,000 sqm, and this will now be enforced as part of the boundary demarcation process. The construction of peripheral roads will benefit villages situated along the Noida Expressway, as well as those located in newly developed zones. These roads will not only mark the boundaries but also enhance accessibility and infrastructure in these peripheral areas. However, villages that are already surrounded by developed sectors will not require new roads.
Lokesh M, CEO of the Noida Authority, explained that the purpose of these measures is to ensure that the villages develop in a sustainable manner, safeguard the interests of farmers, and prevent encroachment on Noida Authority land. This initiative is a direct response to the ongoing farmers’ protests, which have been demanding better compensation and additional land allocations for residential use. Since 2019, farmers have been involved in an ongoing protest, seeking increased abadi land quotas, as well as improvements in rehabilitation, job opportunities, healthcare facilities, and better commercial use of residential plots. To oversee the implementation of these recommendations, the government formed another committee in December 2024.
Authorities have also instructed the land records department, work circle, and planning departments to expedite the survey work for the boundaries and the peripheral areas, ensuring that these changes are put into practice swiftly. This initiative marks a crucial step in addressing the land-related issues of villages along the Noida Expressway. By constructing peripheral roads and clearly demarcating boundaries, the Noida Authority aims to promote orderly development, prevent encroachment, and meet the demands of farmers who have long been advocating for better compensation and infrastructure. These steps are expected to bring about significant improvements in both land management and community welfare in the region.
