Plots worth Rs 1,981 crore freed from land sharks in Noida

NOIDA: In a recently conducted review, Noida Authority found that land sharks had encroached more than 3 lakh sqm area illegally over the years. Carrying out special drives, the authority managed to free up the land worth more than Rs 1,981 crore over the past six months. The problem was acute in two villages where industrial and institutional development has to take place

The authority in its review found that more than 80 acres of prime land had been grabbed illegally by land mafias. While in some places four-storied buildings had been erected, in most cases dubious real estate brokers and dealers had floated schemes offering plots and lured gullible buyers by offering 100 to 150 sqm plots at throwaway prices.

Offered at rates varying from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the cheated buyers did not verify documents provided by the brokers. Overall it is estimated that more than 3 lakh sqm (125 acre) of land had been encroached over the past two to three years, the officials added.

Acting swiftly, the authority managed to free up nearly 3 lakh sqm of land. Officer on special duty and in-charge of the land department at Noida Authority, Santosh Upadhyay said that anti-encroachment drives are being conducted on a regular basis. “It is a continuous process and the remaining land will be freed also,” said Upadhyay who has been supervising the drives.

The officials of the land department are now looking at technology-backed solutions to maintain stringer vigil over the reclaimed land. The issue was discussed in a meeting with chief executive officer of the Noida Authority Ritu Maheshwari last week.

Deploying satellite imagery tools with better resolution through cadastral surveys, IKONOS imagery, Quickbird, Cartosat are some options being explored, said an official. Visiting the acquired area on a regular basis is extremely difficult and hence online tools will have to be integrated gradually to discourage people from encroaching upon the land in an illegal manner, the official added.

Another official said that Garhi Chaukhandi, Nagla Charandas, Momnathal, Kondli Bangar and Mamura are some locations where the land sharks are highly active. Hindon riverbed is another belt which is often exploited by dubious real estate agents, he added.

Nuisance is on the higher side among sectors 150, 152, 153, 155, 156 and 162 that have been planned between Yamuna river and Noida-Greater Noida Expressway since these places are yet to be developed completely.

Initiating action against the encroachers, officials have submitted names of 36 individuals with the police and the district administration and have recommended listing them as criminals. Police have taken action against 15 individuals and action against others is on.