Noida: Following allegations of a major farmhouse scam in Noida, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, has ordered an investigation into the scheme launched by the Noida Authority in 2009. In a letter addressed to the Noida Authority chairman Rakesh Bahadur, the government has directed him to submit a report within a week. The report will deal mainly on three important points — land acquisition, allotment rate and the procedure of allotment of the farms. The scheme allegedly led to a loss of nearly Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer.

A full bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday upheld its judgement quashing land acquisition in some villages of Gautam Buddh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh for development of Noida, Greater Noida and Noida Extension and ordered greater compensation for landowners.

The bench comprising justices Ashok Bhushan, S.U. Khan and V.K. Shukla passed the order while turning down review petitions of Noida Authority and Greater Noida Authority and a number of farmers who were dissatisfied with the judgement delivered by a three-judge bench on October 21, 2011.

Interchange stations to further boost connectivity

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's Phase III expansions plans are sure to please many more residents of the city. First it was the ‘heritage corridor' for heritage enthusiasts, now plans to connect four of South Delhi's prominent markets will surely prove a boon for shopaholics. By 2016, four major markets — Sarojini Nagar, INA, South Extension and Lajpat Nagar — will have dedicated underground metro stations connecting them.

Population has started to swell in Delhi’s suburbs. Gurgaon and Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar) are among the top five places in India that recorded the highest decadal growth rate in population.
While Gurgaon recorded a 74% rise in population between 2001 and 2011, Noida saw a rise by almost 52%, followed by Ghaziabad at 40.66%. India saw a 17.6% increase in population over the decade. Kurung Kumey — a small district in Arunachal Pradesh bordering China — recorded the highest decadal increase in population at 111%, followed by Yanam in Puducherry at 77.15%.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a petition by the farmers of Visrak and Patwari villages seeking restoration of their lands acquired by the Noida authority.

The notice has also been issued to Noida authority. An apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha issued notice on the petition - farmers have challenged the Allahabad High Court direction ordering two-third increase in compensation to farmers whose land has been acquired by the Noida authority.

Existing Ones Can’t Expand. The National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on environmental clearances for any new industry or expansion of the existing ones in areas falling under New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) on Thursday.

The order was in response to a petition filed by an area resident Sanjay Agnihotri,who had raised ecological concerns in Noida, the 12th most polluted zonein the country.

The National Green Tribunal, a special fast-track court to handle cases pertaining to environmental issues, has ruled that no fresh environmental clearance should be granted to new industrial units or for expansion of existing units in Noida without its consent. “In order to safeguard the environment and restrict the pollution, both air and water including hazardous waste, we direct that no further environmental clearance shall be granted to any of the new industrial units nor any operating industry shall be permitted to expand in Noida...

The National Green Tribunal has ruled no fresh environmental clearance would be granted to new industrial units or for expansion of any operating industry in Noida without its consent.

The tribunal passed the interim orders taking note of a “lackadaisical attitude exhibited” by the Central Pollution Control Board and Noida Authority in responding to the notices issued by it earlier.

The NCR Planning Board on Thursday gave a conditional approval for Greater Noida Master Plan 2021, which will pave the way for development of Noida Extension without any further delay. ET Realty reports
Around 50,000 homebuyers will heave a sigh of relief, as the uncertainty surrounding the fate of Noida Extension housing projects seems to be almost over.

The earthquake today that jolted the National Capital and the adjoining NCR region has brought the safety of buildings in and around the capital back into focus. Two other temblors had hit the area in the past six months.

Strong tremors that lasted almost 10 seconds at 1.11 pm today sparked panic among the denizens in Delhi and other parts of north India. No casualties have been reported from the region.