A major land scandal, estimated at ?1,000 crore, has been exposed in Noida's prime Sector 62. This sector, a sought-after location for media houses, retail offices, residential complexes, educational institutions, and industrial setups, has become the centre of an alleged land misuse scheme. A private builder, in collusion with Noida Industrial Development Authority officials, is accused of manipulating land titles and selling plots for IT/ITES activities, despite the Authority's original allocation for media-related purposes.
The irregularity involves plots A-37 and A-38 in Sector 62. Chambal Trading Private Limited and Anand Habitat Infrastructure are alleged to have illegally sold these plots at inflated prices without obtaining the necessary change in land use. Originally designated for editing and data processing studios for newspapers, television, and radio, the plots were unlawfully sold for IT and office space.
Despite this, the UP RERA website still lists the plots for their original media use. The commercial use of the land commenced without approval from the Noida Authority, resulting in significant revenue loss for the government.
The Noida Authority had initially allotted 40,000 sq m of land to Chambal Trading Private Ltd (a sister concern of a well-reputed media company). A lease deed, dated August 1, 2005, between the Noida Authority and Chambal Trading Pvt. Ltd., stipulated the land's purpose as "editing and data processing for newspaper, TV, film, video, audio studio office according to bye-laws and building plans approved by the lessor."
Chambal Trading Pvt Ltd subsequently transferred ownership of the land, via a company transfer, to a private builder. This builder then divided the land into two portions of 20,000 sq m each, selling them to Anand Habitat Infrastructure and PKS Builders. Astonishingly, the Noida Authority approved map plans for a 20,000 sq m IT setup for Anand Habitat Infrastructure, despite the land's original designation for media activities. Anand Habitat Infrastructure has since launched its IT project, "Master Capital Avenue," on the site and has already sold retail offices. PKS Builders has also submitted plans for a similar purpose, but approval is pending. The Noida Authority maintains that land use changes are not permissible according to existing bylaws.
This ssuggests a strong case of land mafia activity, where legal provisions have been ignored to fraudulently alter the land's designated purpose. These unauthorised transactions violate government policies and regulations, causing financial losses to authorities and negatively impacting public interest.
Anand Bisht, a media consultant, comments, "Such land scams necessitate a thorough investigation and strict action. The Noida Authority and relevant departments must intervene to ensure the rightful use of the land and take stringent action against those responsible."
Komal Mishra, who works in a media company, underlines the enduring value of land and the importance of preventing fraudulent activities. "Land is the only thing in the world that lasts... It's the only thing worth working for, worth fighting for. Any type of land fraud cannot be accepted."
Mamta Gahlot, a resident of Sector 62, Noida, describes the situation as a "?1,000 crore land scam in a prime location" and urges the concerned Noida Authority departments to take action.