Greater Noida Authority Acts Only After Towers Rise; Illegal Constructions Proliferate Across Several Areas

The tragic death of engineer Yuvraj Mehta in Sector-150 has finally jolted the authorities of Gautam Buddh Nagar district, but serious questions remain over their delayed response to illegal construction across Greater Noida.

Reports indicate that the Greater Noida Authority tends to act only after high-rise towers are already constructed, leaving residents at risk. Colonisers often erect four- to five-storey residential towers in multiple areas without approvals, with little to no oversight from the authorities during the construction phase.

Real estate prices in Greater Noida have surged sharply, putting homeownership out of reach for many. Colonisers exploit this demand, misleading buyers by promising affordable flats and claiming that all necessary approvals from the Authority are in place, when in fact no NOC (No Objection Certificate) exists. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens face strict scrutiny, and even minor violations during personal construction attract immediate action from authorities — a discrepancy raising public concern.

Colonisers typically acquire land from farmers, sometimes even without proper clearance from the Authority, before starting construction. In other cases, towers are built in notified areas without authority-sanctioned land release, further complicating regulatory oversight.

Sources also revealed a troubling pattern: if the Authority attempts action against colonisers, the information often reaches them beforehand, allowing them to evade enforcement. How such leaks occur remains under investigation.

The areas with the highest prevalence of illegal construction include Kheda Chauganpur, Vedpura, Saini, Sadullapur, Sunpura, Achheja, and adjoining regions under the Greater Noida Authority. In several cases, residents have already moved into these towers, even as colonisers promise utilities such as sewer, water, and electricity. While basic infrastructure is sometimes partially provided, sewage often overflows onto streets, creating public health hazards.

Authorities admit that enforcing action in these high-density, illegally constructed areas remains a significant challenge, highlighting persistent gaps in urban governance and monitoring.

The Yuvraj Mehta tragedy has once again underscored the urgent need for proactive monitoring, timely approvals, and stringent enforcement to prevent such disasters in residential zones across Greater Noida.