In a major crackdown on illegal real estate activities near the upcoming Noida International Airport, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has demolished an unauthorised housing colony and reclaimed land worth nearly Rs 400 crore. The large-scale operation was carried out in villages surrounding Jewar, where illegal developers had been misleading buyers by promoting fake “airport township” projects.
Officials said the action is part of a sustained enforcement drive to prevent land grabbing and unauthorised plotting in the notified airport zone, where land prices have surged sharply following the airport project announcement.
Illegal ‘Green City’ Colony Flattened
During the operation, YEIDA teams demolished an unauthorised colony operating under the name “Green City” in Dayanatpur village. The colony had been illegally developed across nearly 12 acres without any land-use change approvals, layout sanctions, or basic infrastructure permissions.
In addition to this, another adjoining parcel of around 7 acres, where illegal plotting and boundary wall construction was underway, was also cleared. Officials said temporary structures, demarcation pillars and signboards were removed to prevent further encroachment.
Airport Access Road Also Cleared
YEIDA officials also cleared encroachments along a crucial 60-metre-wide road leading to the Noida International Airport. This road is considered vital for future airport connectivity and logistics movement.
In a parallel drive, nearly 6 acres of encroached land were reclaimed in Sabota Mustafabad village, where illegal construction activities were found during inspections.
The demolition drive was conducted under heavy police presence to maintain law and order. Senior officials from YEIDA, along with revenue and local administration teams, were present on site.
FIRs to Be Filed Against Illegal Developers
Authorities confirmed that FIRs will be registered against illegal colonisers and builders involved in selling unauthorised plots within the notified YEIDA area. Field officers have been instructed to submit detailed action-taken reports and identify repeat offenders.
Officials warned buyers to verify land titles and approvals before investing, stating that properties developed without permissions will not be regularised under any circumstances.
Airport Project Triggered Land Mafia Activity
According to YEIDA officials, the announcement of the Noida International Airport triggered a land rush in surrounding districts. Taking advantage of rising demand, land mafias began converting low-cost agricultural land into unauthorised residential plots without approvals.
These illegal colonies often mimic legitimacy by erecting boundary walls, internal roads and attractive signboards, falsely marketing them as “airport townships” to unsuspecting buyers from NCR and nearby cities.
Enforcement Drive to Continue
YEIDA officials said the current action is part of a larger enforcement strategy. Over the past three years, the authority has conducted more than 25 major demolition drives, reclaiming land worth approximately ₹6,500 crore across Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh and Bulandshahr districts.
Officials reiterated that no illegal construction will be allowed to obstruct planned infrastructure development around the airport and along the Yamuna Expressway corridor.
