With police cover, Noida authority razes 32 farmhouses on Yamuna floodplains

NOIDA: Thirty-two illegal farmhouses, some with swanky swimming pools and lawns, encroaching upon 27 acres of Yamuna floodplains were razed by the Noida Authority on Tuesday. The land has an estimated
market value of Rs 40 crore. Since May last year, Noida has demolished nearly 200 illegal structures, including 190 farmhouses, built
on the river’s floodplain. In June 2022, it issued a public notice prohibiting any construction on the floodplains of the Yamuna and
Hindon in Noida. The Authority warned that the costs of the demolition drives would also be recovered from the owners of such illegal farmhouses.

On Tuesday, a joint team comprising officials from Noida’s work circle 9, land records and the irrigation
departments carried out the operation amid heavy police presence at Nagli Nagla, Asadullapur, Chhaprauli
Bangar, and Dostpur Mangrauli villages in Sector 135.
Over 100 employees of Noida, three earthmovers and five dumpers were involved in the operation that encountered occasional protests.
The drive is a part of Noida’s sustained efforts to crack down on illegal constructions on the floodplains of
the two rivers that were accorded protected status by the UP irrigation department in 2015.

Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari told TOI that any construction in the submerged area of Noida is strictly
prohibited.
Urging people not to buy or sell illegal farmhouses built on the floodplains, she said: “The Noida
Authority will initiatecriminal action against those involved in unauthorised construction in the riverbed
and notified areas.”Earlier in February, some farmhouse owners had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking a stay on
the demolition drives by Noida. The court granted them 10 days to file objections while also instructing
the Authority to maintain a status quo during the period.
The Authority received over 300 objections. After responding to them, it announced that no concessions
would be given to owners of farmhouses constructed in the floodplain zone.
An earlier survey, conducted by the Noida Authority, had revealed there are around 1,000 farmhouses along the Yamuna.