Following the reports of large scale encroachment on notified lands in and around the city, the Noida Authority decided to undertake massive anti-encroachment drives across the region.
In the initial phase, the authority has planned to reclaim the illegally occupied lands in the city area and then the floodplain areas along the Yamuna and Hindon rivers; the lands belonging to gram sabhas, green belts and areas in the vicinity of Okhla bird sanctuary. The announcement to this effect was made after a high level meeting of authority officials and local police on Thursday.
As per reports, the squatters have encroached upon big chunk of open land in city areas and have erected buildings also. Sources claim that around 30 per cent of notified land is in illegal possession of squatters across the Noida region. Most affected regions are Sorkha, Hindon, the Yamuna river region, sectors along Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Okhla bird sanctuary area and regions along NH 24, where several projects are being delayed due to illegal encroachment. The local vendors have eaten up road sides, pavements and public spaces in various nooks of the city.
A senior official of Noida Authority said they were reported about encroachment spurts, post which they started reclaiming land in city areas first and once police force is back in the district, massive drives will be conducted across the city. “We have sought reports from circle officers of all 10 circles of the area. Once the encroached areas are identified, we will start the eviction drive. The police officials have been asked to provide adequate force for smooth running of the drive,” said VK Panwar, additional CEO of Noida Authority.
Notably, chairman and CEO of Noida Authority, Rama Raman, had earlier warned the authority staff, UP irrigation, electricity and water department that if any official or staff is found guilty in supporting such land sharks, then they will have to face the music. “We are not going to tolerate land sharks in any way. FIRs will be registered against errant encroachers. Attacks on the demolition team will not stop our action against land sharks,” Raman had said. Soon after his statement, the local authorities had freed massive square metres of land from the flood plains of Hindon and from villages.