NOIDA: Frustrated with ongoing notices from the Noida Authority regarding what they consider minor home alterations, various residents’ groups have approached local MLA Pankaj Singh, requesting the repeal of Section 10 of the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Area Development Act. This section grants the Authority the authority to issue notices to property owners over unauthorized constructions and modifications.
Recently, an increasing number of homeowners in older sectors such as 22, 34, 12, 51, and 71 have received notices for changes like adding glazing to verandahs and installing doors or fences in backyards. Many residents argue these adjustments are basic improvements for security and weather protection, rather than serious structural violations warranting penalties or legal action.
A delegation from Sector 22, headed by RWA president Vijay Kumar Singh, met with MLA Singh this week to express their worries about what they view as excessive scrutiny of private residences. “These are not illegal extensions but practical necessities in a city where independent homes face risks like theft and harsh weather,” Singh stated.
Section 10 empowers the Noida Authority to issue fines, as well as to seal or demolish properties deemed unauthorized. Residents contend that this regulation was initially intended for significant commercial or structural violations, not small-scale residential modifications.
“Rather than implementing punitive measures, the Authority should develop a policy to regularize minor works that do not impact the safety of the building or public convenience by charging fees according to local rates,” suggested a member of the delegation, noting that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) charges only 50% of the original permit fee for existing structures and alterations.
KK Jain, secretary general of FONRWA, noted that numerous homeowners at the B-10 and B-10A Udaygiri apartment complexes in Sector 34, comprising around 500 flats each, have received notices from the Noida Authority demanding the removal of unauthorized constructions. Residents are informed that failure to comply will result in demolition, with costs incurred by the homeowner.
MLA Singh reassured residents that no new notices under Section 10 would be issued until the Noida Authority concludes a revised policy, offering temporary relief and alleviating concerns regarding compliance.
Officials, however, caution that deviations from approved building plans can lead to structural and stability issues.
