Noida Airport Expansion Leads To Land Grab, Illegal Constructions Reported In Multiple Villages

The rapid development of Noida International Airport in Jewar has triggered an unprecedented rise in land prices, resulting in a massive increase in illegal construction across the airport region and areas under the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).

According to officials, two key factors are driving the surge:

1. Colonisers purchasing land from farmers at low rates and quickly building structures to prevent future acquisition, and 

2. The land mafia is constructing illegally with the intention of later claiming compensation, rehabilitation benefits, or leaseback from the authority.

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While illegal activities slowed down in the airport zone after action in Nagla Hukumsingh village, the situation remains largely unchanged in YEIDA-controlled areas. Construction continues unabated on land designated for the resettlement of villages to be displaced during the airport’s third phase.

A significant portion of the area around the airport falls within YEIDA’s notified zone, where land acquisition is underway for various projects, either through mutual consent or administrative acquisition. Colonisers and mafias are aggressively erecting unauthorised colonies and structures in villages, including Jewar Bangar, Modelpur, Nimka Chauroli, Gopalgarh, Sabauta, Dudhera, Rampur Bangar, Govindgarh, Kalupura, Dayanatpur, Karauli Bangar, Akalpur, Myana, Nagla Shahpur, Bhoyra, Mudrah, Kanpur, Ranhera, Dastampur, Thora, Aliahmadpur alias Garhi, and Jahangirpur.

Authorities say those involved view the situation as a “win-win.” If the land is acquired through mutual agreement, they attempt to claim leaseback by presenting the area as populated. If the acquisition proceeds formally, they demand rehabilitation benefits, such as a developed plot equivalent to 50 per cent of their constructed property and compensation equal to twice the construction cost. These incentives have led to large-scale unauthorised development.

YEIDA is planning a 437-hectare township across Mangrauli, Alawalpur, Modelpur, Nimka, and Chauroli for resettling villages affected by the third phase of airport expansion. However, illegal construction is aggressively underway on this earmarked land, often in full view of revenue officials. Notices under Section 10 are being issued, but on-ground vigilance remains weak.

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Shailendra Singh, OSD (Land), YEIDA, said that ongoing action includes demolitions during special drives, FIRs against colonisers, and issuance of legal notices. “Action against illegal construction will continue,” he added.

Despite these assurances, illegal construction continues to spread rapidly, raising concerns about future delays and complications in key infrastructure projects linked to the Noida International Airport.