Land sharks swallow floodplains (Times of India 07 February 2012)

NOIDA: With the administrative machinery preoccupied with the upcoming Assembly elections, land sharks in Gautam Budh Nagar district are making the most of the situation. Thousands of acres of fertile land in the floodplains of the Hindon are being usurped by the land mafia and sold to "unsuspecting" buyers for constructing houses. Despite repeated complaints from environmentalists, the district administration hasn't taken steps to check the rampant encroachment.

The encroached land is spread over an area of 15 km straddling the floodplains of the river. Located off the Noida-Greater Noida link road near Sector 122 and at a stone's throw away from the Noida Extension-Greater Noida area, illegal structures have mushroomed from Hindon Pushta along NH-24 up to Kulesra in Greater Noida. This entire area falls under the flood zone, where all construction activity is banned.

Unfortunately, no tangible measures are being taken to stop the illegal construction. Sub-divisional district magistrate, Gyanendra Singh confirmed that "all construction in the flood zone is in violation of the existing laws. It obstructs natural river flow, thereby hindering flood-control measures. It also poses a threat to the environment," he said.

Being sold at prices ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 per square metre, the illegal plots are finding many takers. "Local real estate dealers are keeping buyers in the dark regarding the court orders on the floodplains," Singh told TOI. "They assume that once the colonies are built, the administration will not demolish them," he added.

Meanwhile, the administration has promised to formally crackdown on land grabbers. "The floodplains have been witnessing constant encroachment and illegal construction. We periodically issue notices and warnings against all construction activity in the flood zone and have alerted the district police officials about the growing menace. The registrar's office has also been asked to take precautions against registration of plots within 120 sqm as they are too small for agriculture purposes and could be used to build houses," Singh explained.

"We will take immediate action and demolish all unauthorized construction in the area," said Singh.

In April, in an attempt to rid the area of "unauthorized" construction, Noida and Greater Noida authorities had decided to acquire around 25 hectares of the floodplain area along the northern tip of the Hindon river from the state irrigation department and develop it as a green belt. A few months later, Noida Authority floated the idea of allotting the floodplain area on the west side of the river to residents on a 'first come first served basis' for growing flowers. Both these plans are yet to see the light of day.