NOIDA: In a significant crackdown on illegal colonies around the Noida International Airport, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) reclaimed nearly 155 acres of land worth ₹2,500 crore in Bulandshahr on Tuesday.
This demolition initiative follows a recent TOI article titled “Khosla ka Ghosla, by Invite” which highlighted how land sharks were misleading potential homebuyers with falsely marketed “prime airport plots” in Khair tehsil, Aligarh.
On Tuesday, a team led by OSD Shailendra Kumar Singh demolished unauthorized colonies, including Aeronest Coloniser (Jhajhar), Shri Radha Gauri Enclave (Kakod), and Rudra Properties (Kakod) in Jhajhar and Kakod villages. Singh noted that FIRs are being filed against the land mafia, with plans to extend the drive to areas in Khair tehsil, Aligarh, Mathura, Bulandshahr, and regions surrounding Jewar.
YEIDA oversees six districts: Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Hathras, Aligarh, Mathura, and Agra.
The rapid development, including projects like the airport, Film City, Logistic Park, and Heritage City, has driven land prices up significantly, making the area a target for land grabbing and unauthorized real estate ventures.
YEIDA is aware of this issue; just last week, they freed 27 acres of land valued at ₹226 crore in Jewar Bangar and Mewla Gopalgarh villages, lodging FIRs against builders for unlawful plotting and construction.
In May, with support from the Aligarh administration, YEIDA reclaimed 67 acres of land worth over ₹407 crore from three villages: Tappal, Sirsedhi, and Helupur, where illegal colonies were advertised under names such as Airport City, Cherry Buildcon, Zammen Expert, Aerocity Project, and MRJK Township, resulting in FIRs against 57 individuals.
Last year, YEIDA issued notices to more than 300 illegal colonizers in Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, and Bulandshahr in May.
In the past three years, YEIDA has executed 25 extensive anti-encroachment operations, reclaiming land worth nearly ₹2,500 crore.
“Our message is clear: No one can sell or purchase notified land. Buyers should verify land records with YEIDA before making any investment,” said YEIDA CEO Rakesh Kumar Singh.
A senior YEIDA official emphasized the importance of public awareness, saying, “People are attracted to the dream of owning property near the airport. However, if it is not allotted or approved by YEIDA, it is illegal, no matter how legitimate it seems on the surface. Buyers should verify before proceeding with any investment.”
