NGT directs NOIDA authority to look into greenbelt encroachment

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) authority to ensure further action on a plea alleging continuous encroachment of the green belt in Sector 48, NOIDA violating the earlier orders of the tribunal, in which it was directed to restore the green belt by removing of encroachments and illegal structures.

"We consider it appropriate to direct the NOIDA Authority to ensure further action, in case any encroachment still remains. The CEO, NOIDA may look into the matter and, if necessary, coordinate with the concerned Police Authorities and file a compliance report by April 30," stated the NGT bench headed by its chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel, in an order issued on January 21.

In its August 2018 order, the green court had said that all the constructions in the land in question shall be removed except those which have been marked in the Master Plan of 2021 and 2031.

Asking the encroachers to leave the green belt, the tribunal also directed to immediately restore the green belt by planting trees.

However, some of the encroachers approached the tribunal for relief, and further on March 13, 2019, the green court rapped them.

"It is high time that despite the order passed by this Tribunal in August 2018, the entire green belt area has not been fully cleared. Therefore, the NOIDA Authority is directed to take appropriate steps in compliance with the order of the Tribunal so as to clear up the entire green belt in question, within a period of two weeks from today," it had said.

In the matter, there was further consideration by the Tribunal on February 14, 2020, August 14, 2021, and November 1, 2021, requiring compliance.

According to the applicant R.L. Sharma violations are still continuing in the locality.