Remove encroachments in Sector 48, restore green belt: NGT tells Noida

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ensured the right of the residents of Sector 48 to have a green belt

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ensured the right of the residents of Sector 48 to have a green belt by asking the Noida authority to remove all encroachments and structures that are not part of the master plan 2021 and 2031.

Sector 48 is supposed to have 23.1 acres of green belt. (HT File Photo)

The decision of the NGT taken on August 14 has brought relief to the residents of Sector 48, who had approached the green court after filing multiple requests and complaints with the Noida authority.

Twenty-two residents from Sector 48 approached the NGT on January 30, 2017 after the authority did not take any action.

Sector 48 was established by the authority in 1999-2000. As per the master plan, the sector is spread over 129 acres of land and is supposed to have 23.1 acres of green belt.

According to the sector residents, most of the green area has been encroached upon, leading to pollution and safety issues. “Residents bought properties here after looking at the master plan, but most of the green area has been encroached upon. Several requests and complaints were made to the Noida authority, but nothing was done. We then decided to approach the NGT,” DP Singh, one of the 22 residents, said.

Residents said they had also registered their complaints against the encroachments with the much spoken about anti-land mafia task force of chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s, but nothing was done.

The NGT has made it clear that once the encroachment is removed, the area should be developed into the green belt as per the master plan.

“Now it is time for UP government to implement the order through the Noida authority and the local administration,” RL Sharma, a retired DIG (police) who filed the petition, said.