It’s final, ‘illegal’ banks in Noida to be sealed from tomorrow

After days of flip-flop, the Noida authority said it would begin, from Wednesday, a sealing drive against banks and all other commercial establishments operating out of residential premises in the city.

After days of flip-flop, the Noida authority said it would begin, from Wednesday, a sealing drive against banks and all other commercial establishments operating out of residential premises in the city.

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Authority's chief executive officer (CEO) SK Dwivedi told Hindustan Times on Monday, “We held a meeting today. We will fine-tune the drive on Tuesday. A crackdown will be launched from Wednesday.”

The authority first said the drive would be launched from Friday. Even as some establishments shut down on their own, the authority said it would first take legal opinion, before going after the illegal units. Suspense stayed over the weekend too.

“It’s not only banks in residential areas. We are also taking action against commercial units running in industrial sectors, too. Violation of land use will not be allowed. If allottees do not put their properties back to the actual land use, plot allotments would be cancelled,” the CEO said.

The authority on Wednesday announced a scheme of plots for 104 branches of various banks currently operating out of residential premises. But it has now asked all commercial activities in residential areas to be closed immediately.

On Friday, authority officials, instead of sealing properties, issued warnings to banks and other establishments. A branch of HDFC bank in Sector 19 announced shifting to Sector 16.

“We had planned sealing from Friday but the legal department advised that sealing could be done only after we issue notices. We have served notices,” said Anil Raj Kumar, additional CEO.