NOIDA: On Wednesday, the Yamuna Authority reclaimed approximately 62 acres of encroached land intended for the Heritage City and Raya Urban Centre projects in Mathura district, with officials estimating its market value at nearly Rs 1,000 crore.
Demolition operations took place in Piprauli Khadar, Aruwa Khadar, and Panigaon Khadar, targeting illegal hotels and roadside eateries within the Heritage City limits. Officials noted an increase in unauthorized commercial and residential activities in the area recently.
Action was also taken against an unapproved colony spanning nearly 2 hectares along the Yamuna riverbank, with two illegal colonies in the core zone—Aruwa Khadar and Piprauli Khadar—being demolished. The operation was overseen by YEIDA OSD Shailendra Kumar Singh, in collaboration with local administration and police, involving personnel from 11 police stations and the PAC, and continuing without incident until 6 PM. YEIDA announced that similar actions will proceed in other project areas.
In a separate drive on Monday, YEIDA cleared encroachments from over 25 acres in its designated area, valued at around Rs 400 crore. This included the demolition of an unauthorized colony named “Green City,” occupying 12 acres in Dayanatpur village, as well as a nearby 7-acre plot under illegal development. Authorities also removed unlawful structures along a 60-meter-wide road leading to the Noida International Airport, freeing nearly 6 acres from encroachment in Sabota Mustafabad village.
In the last three years, YEIDA has conducted around 30 major drives, reclaiming land valued at approximately Rs 7,500 crore. Officials indicated that land mafias have become increasingly active in the Jewar–Mathura–Aligarh region following the airport announcement and rapid industrial growth that has escalated land prices.
Fraudsters frequently subdivide farmland into illegal plots without authorization, erecting boundary walls and signage to falsely present the sites as legitimate, enticing buyers from Delhi-NCR by marketing them as “dream homes” near the upcoming airport in Jewar.
