NOIDA: The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to UP govt, Noida and Greater Noida authorities, state pollution control board and other bodies, including several builders, over alleged construction of illegal buildings on farmland.
The NGT notice came in response to a petition filed by a former BJP councillor from Ghaziabad alleging the large-scale unauthorised construction of villas, townships, colonies, shops, houses, etc across the district. According to the petition, over 20,000 hectares of fertile arable farmlands in Greater Noida have been usurped while more than 20,000 hectares of land in Noida is being used for illegal plotting.
A bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel observed that a substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms was raised and issued notice accordingly.
The petitioner’s original application that many of these construction activities involved topsoil and that large-scale illegal mining of topsoil was being carried out at these spots — resulting in deep, catastrophic pits.
“These construction activities are being carried out without obtaining mandatory consent to establish and operate under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). Also these illegal constructions are being developed without having any sewerage network in place and without having consent to establish and operate under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to draw water from tube wells,” said petitioner Rajendra Tyagi.
The petitioner further alleged that Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) is aiding and facilitating the illegal constructions of new houses and colonies in Greater Noida and Noida by erecting and laying down electricity poles.
“Issue notice to the respondents. Applicants are directed to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing,” the NGT order stated.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 8.
