Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Noida, represented by the Confederation of NCR Resident Welfare Associations (CONRWA), have put forward key demands during a meeting with Noida MLA Pankaj Singh. The primary requests include converting Noida residential land properties from leasehold to freehold, ensuring that the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) remains unchanged after freehold conversion, and establishing a separate authority for the upcoming New Noida area.
Currently, Noida residents own properties on a 99-year lease under the UP Industrial Act 1976. The issue of converting these leasehold properties to freehold has been a long-standing demand, and in 2018, the Noida Authority had given in-principle approval for such a conversion. A committee was set up under the chairmanship of the then CEO, Alok Tandon, to explore the feasibility and benefits of this conversion, with recommendations forwarded to the state government.
PS Jain, president of CONRWA, emphasized that the committee’s recommendations included creating a short-term corpus fund for converting residential properties. This fund would generate recurring income through interest, offsetting potential losses to the Noida Authority. Jain further stressed that once the freehold scheme is implemented, the FAR should not be increased. An increase in FAR, according to the residents, would lead to overcrowding, increased pressure on infrastructure, and risks to building safety, with the potential for additional flats adding weight to the structures and reducing open spaces. BB Valecha, a CONRWA member, highlighted concerns about the strain that additional flats would place on the city’s infrastructure, including parking, green spaces, and utilities. Increased FAR would also negatively affect the environmental quality of the city, compromising sunlight, water, and air.
The issue of New Noida development was also raised. The RWAs suggested that given the rapid growth and population in the area, which covers approximately 200 square kilometers with 163 sectors, there should be a dedicated authority for New Noida. The current staff shortage in the Noida Authority has led to challenges in managing the existing urban infrastructure, and the formation of a new authority for New Noida would ensure better governance and management of the expanding region. Members of the delegation proposed that a new CEO, ACEO, and an OSD be appointed for New Noida to ensure focused attention on its development. In response to these demands, MLA Pankaj Singh assured the RWAs that he would bring up their concerns with the relevant authorities and the state government to find practical solutions. The meeting highlighted the growing need for a more sustainable and well-managed approach to urban planning in Noida and its upcoming developments.
