Farmers claim construction can’t resume in Noida extn

A day after the NCR Planning Board approved the Greater Noida Master Plan 2021, paving the way of construction of over two lakh flats in Noida Extension, angry farmers staged a protest, Vinod Rajput reports.

A day after the National Capital Region Planning Board approved the Greater Noida Master Plan 2021, paving the way of construction of over two lakh flats in Noida Extension, angry farmers staged a protest.

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The farmers threatened that they will not allow any construction activity till the Supreme Court settles all land dispute cases.

A group of about 60 farmers under the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti burnt Union urban development minister Kamal Nath in effigy at Noida Extension.

"How can the developers resume construction until all the land dispute cases are pending in the Supreme Court? We will not let it happen. We will request the apex court to order a stay over construction," said Dushyant Nagar, one of the farmers' leaders.

About 400 cases are pending in the apex court. "All the developers' are involved in litigation with the farmers over their project land. Therefore, construction will not be allowed to resume," added Nagar.

"The high court in its October, 2011 order had clearly stated that developers can only start the construction once the NCRPB approves the Master Plan 2021 for Greater Noida. Since the NCRPB has approved it on Friday, the developers can begin the construction. I think the Supreme Court may not appreciate farmers' request because the high court had already settled the matter," said a Greater Noida official, requesting anonymity.