Uttar Pradesh’s three authorities- Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway has chalked out a plan to house 1.15 crore population on a 1.15 lakh hectares of fertile farm land, by 2031.

Noida and Greater Noida have already created infrastructure and most of the housing facilities to accommodate a population of 80 lakh by 2031, while Yamuna Expressway has planned out to acquire 54, 000 hectares of agricultural land to house a population of 35 lakh by 2031.

“As of now, we have acquired only 11, 000 hectares land. The process of acquiring remaining land to meet master plan-2031 demands is on. The idea is that Yamuna Expressway would house a population of 35 lakh by 2031,” told PC Gupta chief executive officer (CEO), Yamuna Expressway industrial development authority (YEIDA) to Hindustan Times on Sunday.

Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, which is opposing the large-scale illegal land acquisition by UP government for mindless urbanisation around Delhi in national capital region, have threatened to move to court for justice.

“Our next generation’s future is bleak because to earn commission money local authorities of UP are illegally acquiring our fertile farm land, and allotting the same to builders for housing in national capital region, where state had lost control over land in 1985, when the government of India implemented NCRPB Act,” said Raghuraj Singh leader of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, who is planning to go to court for justice.

Farmers said that if UP has planned out to house 1.15 crore population in next 20 years in this region, where the drinking water, power and other basic facilities would come from.

“Ghaziabad’s unofficial population is above 1 crore now. And its official that Noida region from Delhi’s border towards Agra would house 1.15 crore population. UP cities around Delhi would house more population than Delhi today has, then one can imagine the kind of mayhem and chaos, which is brewing,” said Raghuveer Singh retired naval official and a planner.

Planners said that the Noida and Greater Noida had envisioned as an industrial cities.

“Both are failed industrial cities. These are emerging as hub of group housings, which are scattered like slums in the vicinity of Delhi. And Yamuna Expressway is following the footsteps of its Noida or Greater Noida only,” said Anurag Khandelwal an architect and town planner.

According to 2001 master plan of Noida, 49 % of land was earmarked for residential purpose. And only 13 % was allocated for industries. As per master plan-2011, 47 % land was earmarked for residential, and 12 % for industries. As per master plan-2031, the authority earmarked land for residential 37 %, while for industries 18 % of land is identified.

“The Noida authority is rampantly changing land-use of IT plots to residential. Even green or institutional land is being converted into residential because of market forces are at work. And officials at the behest of politicians are busy facilitating greedy builders. They are not concerned about the eco-system of this region,” said Shrikant Vaidya a Noida based social activist.

Planners and environmentalists said that Uttrakhand like disaster is in making in national capital region because the Noida area falls in seismic zone-IV.

“Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway areas are reclaimed as these were natural Yamuna and Hindon flood plains. To urbanise, UP government is damaging natural lakes, wetlands and all that, which is green. Mushrooming of high-rises in flood plains is not at all sustainable for future. But officials laugh at our concerns,” said Akash Vashishth a local environmentalist.

Farmers said that its surprising that union urban development ministry under which NCRPB functions is doing nothing to curb such a large scale irregularities taking place right under its nose.

“We have written several times to union urban development minister and UP chief minister too. But they have paid no heed to our concerns. I demand of prosecution of NCRPB and local officials who have failed to implement 1985 act of government of India. Everyone need a house in NCR and office in Delhi because government has failed in implementing policies,” said Raghuraj Singh.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Noida/Chaos-and-mayhem-brewing-in-Noida-Greater-Noida/Article1-1096886.aspx

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