Noida authority to issue notices to 250 farmhouses on Yamuna floodplains, ET RealEstate
NOIDA: Noida Authority will issue fresh notices to nearly 250 farmhouse owners for permanent construction in the Yamuna floodplains, where only farming is allowed.
Officials said while buying and selling land in this area is not illegal, using the land for anything other than agriculture — like building farmhouses or permanent constructions — is prohibited.
The Authority has demolished around 200 such farmhouses since May 2022. However, many owners went to Allahabad high court and managed to get stay orders, which stalled the action temporarily. But now, the Authority is once again planning a large-scale campaign against illegal constructions in the floodplain.
At a recent review meeting, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M said that aerial surveys have already begun across the Yamuna and Hindon floodplains. He warned if new illegal construction is found after the survey, officials from the Authority and the irrigation department would be held accountable. He also ordered that large hoardings be put up in these areas to warn the public that buying land or constructing buildings in these zones is illegal.
An Authority official said, “The first round of notices will be based on data collected through aerial mapping. Drones are currently being used to capture the locations and extent of construction across the floodplain zones.”
“These surveys will also help identify which farmhouses are being used for commercial purposes. Police already conducted raids in several such places in the past,” the official said.
Yamuna River flows through several Noida sectors such as 94, 124, 125, 127, 128, 131, 133, 134, 135, 150 and 168. Hindon River passes through areas like Chhijarsi, Shahdara, Suthiana, Garhi Chowkhandi, sectors 123, 118, 115, 143, 143A, 148, 150 and Momnathal before merging with the Yamuna near Sector 63A and Behlolpur. These floodplain areas are marked as “submerged zones”, where any form of construction is banned.
While there’s currently no plan to demolish old illegal structures built near the Hindon floodplain, officials made it clear that no new construction will be allowed. If any such activity is found, strict action will be taken against the responsible officers. A separate team, led by the sub-divisional magistrate, has been formed to monitor and act in the Hindon region. Some of the existing farmhouses in Hindon may also face demolition in the next phase of the campaign.
To address the issue of unauthorised constructions, the Noida Authority issued a public notice in June 2022, prohibiting any construction in the floodplain zone of Yamuna and Hindon rivers within its jurisdiction.
The Authority also warned that it would recover the costs of the demolition drive from the owners of the illegal farmhouses.
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