Illegal additions to houses rampant but no crackdown: Noida RWAs

NOIDA: Illegal extensions and additions to houses and apartments, which encroach on common
areas through temporary or permanent constructions, are rampant in the city’s sectors, gated
colonies and condominiums, but there’s hardly any action taken against them, residents groups
complain.
On Monday, as bulldozers razed allegedly illegal portions of political functionary and
businessman Shrikant Tyagi’s house at a housing society in Sector 93B, several RWAs asked if
the Noida Authority would use this as an example and show consistency in acting against
encroachments.
Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners’ Association (NOFAA),
said, “It is the most common problem existing in every society. The RWA or the AOA has a very
limited role. It tries to enforce norms but hardly gets success. In such a scenario, it is Noida
Authority’s responsibility to enforce rules. For this, the Authority should hold regular joint
meetings with AOA and police where such issues can be discussed and a solution can be
found.”

Sanjeev Kumar, general secretary of the Sector 51 RWA, said, “Like in Tyagi’s case,
encroachments by other residents should also be demolished. The Noida Authority does not
take any action until it is a high-profile case or the matter is highlighted in the media. In general,
there is a lack of follow-up action by the Noida Authority. After issuing the first notice, officials
generally do not issue a second notice.”
At Tyagi’s society, officials said the Noida Authority had issued notices to over 200 residents to
remove illegal constructions. Ground floor encroachments are the most common with illegal
additions being made in the backyards, turning common areas into private gardens with even
swings installed and chairs and tables kept there.
Noida Authority officials said it was impossible for them to keep an eye on every flat. CEO Ritu
Maheshwari said, “The Authority conducts an inspection at the time of issuing completion
certificates. Illegal constructions are mainly done after residents start living in their flats. With
lakhs of flats in private builder societies, the Authority can’t check every house after issuing
completion certificates.”
She added, “Action is generally taken after we receive complaints. The Authority tries to enforce
norms as much as possible. The issue generally comes to light after two groups come face to
face.”