In a demolition drive carried out on Monday, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority removed an illegal colony that had come up near the Noida International Airport area and took back about 25 acres of land. Officials said the land is valued at close to ₹400 crore.
Teams from the authority, local administration and police were present while the structures and markings were taken down. A wide road stretch of about 60 metres across and leading towards the airport zone was also cleared of illegal occupation.
Officers said complaints had been coming in about illegal plotting in the area for some time. According to them, certain operators were buying agricultural land, cutting it into small plots and trying to sell it by projecting it as part of future airport-linked townships. Buyers were often shown boundary walls and signboards to make the sites appear authorised.
YEIDA officials also said that action would be taken against those involved and FIRs will be lodged if required. They also pointed out that similar drives have been carried out earlier in nearby districts to stop unauthorised colonies from building around the airport zone locations. With land demand rising in the area, officials indicated that enforcement activity is likely to continue in the coming months.
Source: The Times Of India