Illegal construction continues on Yamuna, Hindon riverbeds

NOIDA: The development authorities of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway seem to have turned a blind eye to illegal construction of farmhouses and concrete structures going on unabated along the Yamuna and Hindon riverbeds in the district.
With the authorities taking no concrete action against the encroachers, sale of unauthorized farmhouses along the two rivers continues.Despite Noida Authority demolishing illegal structures along Yamuna and Hindon riverbeds last year, TOI found them back on a recent visit to different areas.
Noida Authority officials could not come up with a satisfactory reply when contacted. "We will look into the matter," said Rajesh Prakash, deputy CEO, Noida Authority.
The Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate has, however, assured action against land mafia active in the region. "I will examine the matter and if anybody is found guilty stringent action will be taken," said DM, AV Rajamauli.
On a recent visit to areas along the Yamuna riverbed near Sector 151, where a Noida Authority team led by deputy CEO Prakash had demolished illegal structures on March 3, 2013, TOI found that a wall and a dozen concrete structures have come up once again.
When asked, an associate of a land dealer operating in the region said, "A 1,000 yard plot here sells for around Rs 40 lakh. "Many of the farmhouses here belong to members of the land mafia but the Authority, administration and police fail to take any action," said Delhi resident Amit Kumar, who had paid Rs 30 lakh for a farmhouse along the Yamuna last year. The illegal farmhouse was, however, demolished by the Authority.
The National Green Tribunal had sometime ago pulled Noida Authority for not taking any concrete action against land mafia for illegal structures along the riverbed, disturbing the ecology.