Approval of new Metro line for Noida Extension

As per the news papers on 24/05/2011 (TOI and HT), the Delhi Metro is coming to Noida Extension as early as 2014. A special loop has been created to cater to people of Noida Extension. Hope this will bring about a huge change in Noida Extension and will push up the prices slowly and will help the demand to go up after all that has been happening in the past few days. Hindustan Times: The Noida authority board has approved four new Metro lines. These four lines are in addition to the already proposed Noida to Greater Noidaline. All the routes put together will improve connectivity between the twin cities and make travel to and from Delhi smoother, besides allowing people to move within Noida and Greater Noida in a much better way. The new routes are:From City Centre to NH-24 via Sector 71 (covering a major part of the city), from Sector 71

to Bodaki in Greater Noida via Sector 121 (this covers the Noida Extension area), from Kalindi Kunj to Botanical Garden (connecting Noida to South Delhi) and from Sector 94/124 to Sector 142 via Sector 44 (allowing Greater Noida residents to go to South Delhi without coming to Noida). Though Metro has proved to be a great relief, intra-city connectivity continues to be a problem. A city of more than 150 sectors, there are only six stations in Noida, catering only to nine immediate and as many adjoining sectors. The Noida board has also approved a direct Metro link between Noida and Delhis Sarita Vihar. Its a 3.76-km Metro route between Noidas Botanical Garden and Kalindi Kunj near Sarita Vihar. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) which puts the total cost at Rs 786 crore. This 3.76-km line will be part of DMRCs larger plan to link Jahangirpuri and Kalindi Kunj. A DPR for the entire plans has been prepared too. 4 new Metro lines approved - Hindustan Times Times of India The Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities have planned for large scale infrastructure development across Gautam Budh Nagar district. In a joint board meeting, the major focus of the Authorities remained on providing connectivity within the district as well as with Delhi. "In the next four years, Rs 20,000 crore will be spent on the projects," said Mohinder Singh, chairman of the Authorities. To begin with, the authorities have approved a major detailed extension of the Metro route connecting almost all of Noida and Greater Noida at a cost of Rs 10,000 crores, covering a total of 86 km. The route is estimated to be ready in the next three years.

Besides extending the existing city centre Metro route connecting Kalindi Kunj and Botanical Garden, a new line from the City Centre station in sector 32 to sector 62, touching NH-24, was also approved. This new 6-km route will be via sector 71 crossing and will provide connectivity to sectors 32, 34, 35, Hoshiarpur, sectors 51, 52, 71, Greater Noida Extension Marg, Sarfabad, sectors 60, 61, 62, 63 and NH 24. A new loop from sector 71 via sector 121 will then join the Greater Noida route between the City Centre and Bodaki railway station in Greater Noida. This route will be from City Centre along the Greater Noida Expressway, touching Knowledge Park 4 via Pari Chowk and will finally end at Bodaki. The new loop has been added mainly to connect Noida extension that falls near sector 121 with Noida as well as with Greater Noida. "With the Metro extension, most sectors will be within walking distance from the stations. Connectivity to Greater Noida will also improve tremendously," Singh said. To smoothen chaotic traffic, the Noida Authority has approved construction of a 5.8 km elevated road parallel to the Shahdara drain. Starting from sectors 14 and 14 A onto sector 95 and Kalindi Kunj, the stretch costing Rs 525 crores will be of four lanes. This route will provide an alternate route between Kalindi Kunj and Noida, thus easing traffic congestion on the expressway.

In the meeting, the Authorities also approved the draft master plan for Greater Noida. As per the 2031 Master Plan, a total of 5,04,000 hectares will be developed. Of this, 27.6 per cent area will be reserved for residential development, while 24.2 per cent will be developed as green area. The approved master plan includes six expressways, over-bridges, flyovers, warehouses and godowns, besides several residential, educational, industrial and commercial hubs. According to the Authority chairperson, development of these 5,04,000 hectares is crucial as it falls between two major hubs of commercial activity, the eastern freight corridor between Ludhiana and Kolkata and the western freight corridor between Dadri and Mumbai. A state-ofthe-art Buddhist museum and a research centre sprawling across 25 acres within the Gautam Budh University campus was also approved in the Monday board meeting. Estimated to cost Rs 84 crores, the project will house art galleries and sculpture sections and various cultural workshops will also be held there. For entertainment and leisure of residents, the Authority plans to construct a modern Laser Park in sector 91. Measuring 29 acres, this park will cost Rs 20 crores and will be the first of its kind in the NCR. It will boast a 3-acre artificial water body, computerized lighting systems besides musical fountains, an amusement area, a marine aquarium, open theatres and walking pathways. Authorities to spend Rs 20,000 crore on Noida projects - The Times of India

Land compensation rate hiked 12.5% in Noida, Greater Noida

NOIDA: In a bid to reduce tension over land acquisition, the three development authorities of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway on Monday announced a 12.5% increase in the compensation rate that will be awarded for land acquired from villages coming under the three areas. "The rate will be applicable with effect from April 1, 2011," said Mohinder Singh, chairman of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Authorities. The land compensation rate in Noida will now be Rs 1,240 and Rs 1,080 per square metre compared to the existing rate of Rs 1,100 for inherited and Rs 957 per sq m for non-inherited land, respectively. Similarly, compensation for land acquired in Greater Noida will be at the rate of Rs 1,050 per sq m. The three authorities have also taken a decision to hike the rates of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties by 12.5%, owing to the hike in the property cost index. The allotment rate of residential plots in Noida now stands in the range of Rs 17,820 to Rs 47,880 per sq m. Rates for commercial land allotment have been revised and now range between Rs 68,063 and Rs 1.54 lakh per sq m. Land under the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority falls in six districts Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Mathura, Agra and Mahamaya Nagar, and compensation against land acquired in these districts currently is 880 per sq m, Rs 480 per sq m, Rs 990 per sq m, Rs 445 per sq m, Rs 490 per sq m and Rs 445 per sq m, respectively. They all will now be paid the rate of Rs 990 per sq m prevailing in all other districts. "The compensation offered per square metre to the farmers against their land is the best amongst what is provided by all other states. The new annuity policy of the state government that also provides rehabilitation benefits and an opportunity to start a small business on 3.5% of their 'abadi' land is also a lucrative one," said Singh. The Uttar Pradesh state government on September 3, 2010 announced a higher compensation package: An annuity payment of Rs 20,000 an acre a year for the next 33 years in addition to compensation and a fixed raise of Rs 600 an acre a year. Encouraged by the Allahabad High Court order denotifying nearly 156 hectares of land in Shahberi village and 72 hectares in Surajpur village, villagers from four more villages Bisrakh, Patwadi, Khairpur and Milak - approached the court seeking denotification of their land. It was acquired by the Greater Noida Authority between 2007 and 2009. However, denying that there was any uncertainty about the upcoming projects in Greater Noida, commonly referred to as Noida Extension, GNIDA authorities said they have been holding daily meetings with the affected farmers, negotiating and hoping to reacquire their land with a new "comprehensive relief package". "We are following a formula under which the element of rehabilitation will be given more attention than the compensation in case of land acquisition. The state government wishes to provide a better deal to the farmers and make them partners in the development process. We have communicated this to the farmers and many of them seem happy," said Rama Raman, CEO, GNIDA. "Under the package, seven percent of the total populated land given to farmers is

developed to make it viable for their prosperity. We have also decided to allow commercial activity on 50 per cent of this land given to them for self-employment opportunities," he added. "Besides, each farmer whose land is acquired will get Rs 20 lakh each year for the next 33 years as annuity, in addition to the compensation he receives," Raman said. The Authority is also planning to provide employment opportunities to one member of each family that has lost its land. It will offer them a 17.5 per cent reservation in any residential scheme launched by the Authority. Builders who have upcoming projects in Noida Extension too echoed Raman's words claiming that "normalcy was returning to the area." Till last week, phones kept ringing because panic-stricken customers wanted to know if their projects fell on disputed land. They wanted to know whether their flats would be ready on time. Some even wanted to cancel their booking,'' said Ajay Verma, marketing manager with Gulshan Homz, a real estate developer. "However, such calls have decreased now. Greater Noida Authority has assured us that it is in discussions with the farmers and a solution is round the corner,"Verma said. "The Allahabad High Court order issued last week affects only four-five projects, and most customers are now realising that. Most of our projects are on track and unlike recent reports, there's no chance of drop in prices. The average price is Rs 1,800-2,000 per sq ft at which we are finding it difficult to survive," said Anuj Chowdhary of the Panchasheel Group. ''We have not received a single application for refund but customers are scared,'' he added. Meanwhile, in what seems like a step to avoid difficulties in the implementation of the first phase of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, sources in the Authority said the state government has sent back the draft master plan demanding clarification on some "technical issues". The government had received the plan about one-and-a half months back but it was sent to the office of chief town and country planner for its views on the plan's technical aspects. Initially, the government had planned to clear it within a fortnight but sources said following the land-related issues in Greater Noida and neighbouring areas, a decision was taken to make the plan free from all complications.

Noida Extenison All Set To Give Tough Fight to Greater Noida

The new projects coming up here are located adjacent to Noidas Sector 121 and face the 130 m road now known as the Noida-Greater Noida Link Road. Metro connectivity is coming here soon, too, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC) having sent a detailed project report (DPR) to the GreaterNoida authority proposing the route for Phase 1. First there was the Mayur Vihar extension. Then we heard about Raj Nagar extension. And now its Greater Noidas turn to do some stretching. Noida Extension is technically Greater Noidas Sector 1 close to Noida Sector 121 and 119. Several builders have been allotted land here for constructing residential units both high- and low-rise structures. Commercial and corporate activity is also planned for the area as rates are less compared to the developed sectors of Greater Noida and Noida. Noida Extension is one of the real estate destinations in India for investors who can wait for a year or two to explore housing options in the area. It is primarily a long-term investment. Several

builders such as Supertech, Amrapali and Gaursons India Limited have been allotted land here. Besides residential, the township will also have commercial and institutional areas. Noida Extenison is all set to give a tough fight to projects coming up in Noida, especially those in sectors 121 and 119, primarily in terms of price and location. Today, things have changed so much so that they are already comparing Noida Extension with Expressway projects.

These area are around 23 km from Sector 121, Noida, i.e. the road from Sector 121 would pass over Hindon river and reach Sector 1/4 in Greater Noida. Noida is a major hub for multinational firms outsourcing IT services. Because of the Special Economic Zone, the suburban atmosphere in Noida and its proximity to Delhi, Noida Extension is good real estate destination. In Noida, due to its proximity to New Delhi and the increased pressure on land due to economic boom conditions, property rates are on the rise in the township. Now real estate developers and investors opt Noida Extension due to its easy connectivity to Noida and Delhi. Besides residential projects, Commercial and corporate activity is also planned for the area as rates are less compared to the developed sectors of Greater Noida and Noida.

Date- 10/07/2011
If you've bought a flat in Noida Extension, where the Supreme Court has scrapped land acquisition for a mega-housing hub, your investment is safe. The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has said buyers who've booked flats in Shahberi village will be relocated or refunded.

Its CEO Rama Raman met real estate players on Friday and told them to approach each and every buyer and ensure speedy redressal of their problem. The Supreme Court had on Wednesday quashed the forcible acquisition of 156 hectares in Shahberi and told GNIDA to give the land back to the farmers. "Protecting the interests of buyers is top priority. Builders have to relocate buyers but no relocation will be done without buyers' consent. Builders must refund those who don't want to relocate," Raman said. GNIDA will bail out builders too, mainly to ensure buyers get their money back if they so wish."Even otherwise, if a builder wants his money back, we will oblige," Raman said. This comes a day after HT reported that buyers had been left to deal individually with builders."No one will be cheated. If anyone isn't satisfied with his builder, he can directly approach the authority," the CEO said. Amrapali is the worst affected builder. "We had one project, Amrapali Smart City. We have scrapped it and requested buyers to either shift to some other project of ours or take their money back," said CMD Anil Sharma. "There were 4,000 buyers. We've settled with 3,500." Meanwhile, Raman has met the district magistrate and senior superintendent of police of Gautam Buddh Nagar and told them to ensure farmers don't disrupt construction at sites that aren't legally disputed.

Date-15/07/2011 Entire Noida Extension not affected: CREDAI

CREDAI said entire Noida Extension is fair and no legal hurdle at any other project. In response to recent Supreme Court judgment on the Shahberi, the CREDAI Western UP has said that the entire Noida Extension is not affecting. It is only 156 hectares land which falls under Shahberi village. 6,000 home buyers in total of all developers. Entire Noida Extension is fair and no legal hurdle at any other project at Noida Extension, the developers association said in a press release. CREDAI Western UP has approached a law firm, which will look after this entire legality of the land process between the farmers, authority and developers so that the developers and the buyers doesnt face any legal problems in any phase. This firm will look after all the legal process & legality of all the projects in Noida Extension.Developers have lost a huge amount with Shahberi judgment, amount canceling for Rs.500-600 crore. In this process which includes administrative expenses and the Title amount etc, the body said, adding that the developers have taken all the steps to safeguard the buyers interests and all the developers have options to return money with interest or option of another apartment in any other project.

Date:-26/07/2011 Noida enigma: Builders, flat buyers hopeful of solution soon

Press Trust of India / New Delhi July 26, 2011, 20:47 IST

With the Allahabad High Court giving farmers an option of out-of-court settlement with GNDA, flat buyers and builders in Greater Noida today expressed hope that a solution will emerge before the August 12 deadline. "It's a positive development. From blame game, now we are moving towards solution," Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association (CREDAI) President (NCR) Pankaj Bajaj told PTI. Echoing Bajaj's views, Noida Extension Flat Buyers Welfare Association President RP Tyagi said court's decision was in the best interest of all the affected parties. Pointing out that interests of one lakh flat-buyers and several builders along with contractors and material suppliers were at stake, Bajaj said: "We are hopeful of settlement between farmers and the GNIDA." Realty Company Amrapali's Chairman Anil Sharma said, "We respect the court's decision. It is in the interest of all affected parties. We hope that a settlement would be reached between farmers and the authority." Hearing petitions of hundreds of farmers from a dozen villages near Greater Noida, challenging acquisition of more than 3,000 hectares of land by the Uttar Pradesh government, the Allahabad High Court today referred the matter to the Chief Justice and fixed August 17 as the next date of hearing. It also said that those petitioners who wished to approach the concerned authorities with their grievances and reach an out-of-court settlement could do so latest by August 12. However, the court said that those who choose to arrive at any agreement with the authorities during this

period would have to inform the court about the same on the next date of hearing with full details about the relief that they have agreed to. Earlier, in two separate orders, the court had quashed about 750 hectares of land acquisition in Noida Extension (a part of Greater Noida), affecting nearly 30,000 flat buyers of about 20 projects of builders such as Amrapali and Supertech. About 2.5 lakh houses are be in planned in Noida Extension and out of that 1 lakh units have been already sold.

Impact of Latest verdict by Allahabad High Court on 26/07/2011

Source --Hindustan Times>>

With the Allahabad high court giving the Uttar Pradesh government and agitating farmers 18 days time to work out an out-of-court settlement, there is fresh hope among Noida Extension homebuyers. The verdict is certainly a relief, said Naresh Mehta, who had come here from Ludhiana Builders are more optimistic. The court has given the authority an opportunity to meet farmers demands and save 2.5 lakh houses planned in Noida Extension from being scrapped, said RK Arora of Supertech. Adding to the positive atmosphere are farmers. Following the court order, they said they did not mind renegotiating with the authority. But they will do so on two conditions coercion should not be used for a settlement and officials must meet their demands. Farmers want adequate compensation, developed land plots and restoration of abadi land. They will hold panchayats and chalk out strategies before individuals can get down to dealing with the authority. Dushyant Nagar, spokesperson of Kisan Sangarsh Samiti, said, We welcome the courts move. We're now confident we will not get a raw deal. We want market rates for our land. But this is subject to negotiations. Ajay Nagar, village head of Bisrakh, where the maximum number of real estate projects is at stake, said, The court has opened a window for renegotiation. We will talk to the authority on our own terms.
Ranveer Singh, a farmer of village Roza Yakoobpur, said, The authority has to come to us with a good proposal. The money part we can always negotiate. But the current rate of compensation has to be increased substantially. Vijay in Haibatpur said, We have been fighting for our rights. We're game if the authority is turning considerate. Farmer leader Roopesh Verma said, We will launch an awareness drive before the renegotiations take place. Roop Chand, village head of Itaidha, said, Farmers want to sell their land. Its no longer fit for cultivation.

Date:-29/07/2011 Farmers wooed with new policy

Vandana Keelor, TNN | Jul 29, 2011, 05.17AM IST
GREATER NOIDA: With the August 12 deadline to seal a deal closing in, and farmers

remaining insistent on higher compensation, Greater Noida Authority (GNIDA) is banking on

the state's new land acquisition policy - that offers farmers not only higher rates per

square metre but also a handsome annuity - to break the Noida Extension ice. According to the Authority, the new policy offers land owners compensation ranging from Rs 960/ sqm to Rs 1,050/ sqm. But its highlights are benefits such as 7% developed land with compensation, or 23% of developed land without any compensation, an annuity of Rs 23,000 per acre for 33 years (increased every July by Rs 800), or a onetime payment of Rs 2.76 lakh. Villagers willing to settle for the new compensation policy will have to withdraw their petitions against land acquisition in Allahabad High Court and the Authority will then be able to reacquire their land, thereby resolving the current crisis in the Noida Extension-Greater Noida area. Villagers who fail to arrive at a compromise with the Authority by August 12 will then be heard by an "appropriate" bench of the high court, August 17 onwards. The Authority will also have to submit before the court a detailed report of the negotiations that it carries out with the villagers till August 12. Reiterating that the Authority acquires and sells off land for development strictly on a "no-profitno-loss basis", Raman on Thursday said the current land crisis is not just about land compensation. "Total cost per square metre of land comes to Rs 4,000. Only 50% of this land is available for sale, as the rest goes into development of roads, parks and public utilities. The actual expenditure per square metre of land that the Authority incurs is Rs 10,500 to Rs 11,000 per square metre," he clarified. The Authority is hopeful that farmers will understand this economics of land acquisition and development. It has already begun renegotiating with them on their three main demands: increased compensation, rehabilitation benefits and sorting out the long-pending abadi land disputes. While most farmers are currently undecided on the rate of compensation they now want, they are unanimous in seeking rehabilitation benefits, including developed plots, annuity payments, minimum agricultural wages etc. Besides, the farmers are also contemplating demanding a list of other benefits, such as health services, jobs for the unemployed etc.

Date:-05/08/2011
5 AUG, 2011, 08.33AM IST, A K TIWARY,ET BUREAU (THE ECONOMIC TIMES)

Homebuyers shall take heart from Supreme Court ruling on Greater Noida fiasco
Finally, a silver lining for the homebuyers - the Allahabad high court has directed the Greater Noida Authority and the farmers of Noida Extension to reach an out of court settlement in the land acquisition dispute by August 12. The direction is a kind of vindication of the farmers' position on land acquisition in Noida Extension. The out of court settlement will certainly increase the cost of acquisition of the Greater Noida Authority. But, irrespective of whether the

cost is passed on to the developers who bought land from the authority or not, the price for existing buyers will not be increased. Anil Sharma, the chairman and managing director of Amrapali Group, said that the builders are committed to deliver the apartments to existing buyers at the prices they were sold. However, the prices for the next phase of apartments in all these projects are likely to be increased to recover the additional costs that the builders may have to bear on account of the increase in compensation to the farmers. At present, the developers are selling flats at around Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,400 per sq feet in Noida Extension. But in the second phase, the prices may go upward of Rs 2,540 per sq feet, a builder said. There is also speculation that to cover the extra cost, the government may increase the floor area ratio and density in Noida Extension. At present, developers are allowed to build only around 2.75 times to 3 times of the ground area of a project. That means, on a 1,00,000 sq feet plot of land, a builder can build 2,75,000 sq ft to 3,00,000 sq ft if it is a green building. That means that they can build 275 to 300 apartments of 1,000 sq feet each. But, in order to absorb the extra cost, the authority may allow them to build 3.5 times of the ground area. That means, on a 1,00,000 sq ft land, a builder can build 350 flats. This will help them recover the extra cost they are likely to bear in the acquisition of land without putting burden on the buyers. But at the same time, this calls for increase in the density the number of flats that can be built on a given plot. The authority is ready to start a renegotiation with farmers of all the villages including Patwari, Bisrakh, Shahberi, Roja Yakubpur, etc, in Noida Extension. It is learnt that the negotiations will be based on the compensation announced under the new acquisition policy of the state government. For this, the authority will begin one-tone discussion with farmers and educate them about the compensation package and relief benefits. Rama Raman, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), said: "Most of the farmers are not aware about the new acquisition policy and relief package. We will speed up the process (of renegotiations) and provide comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package to the farmers."

Date:-08/08/2011 New road link to bring Delhi, Noida Extension closer

Kapil Datta, Hindustan Times The Patwari pact has revived hopes for the completion of the Greater Noida-Ghaziabad Expressway. Patches of this link fall in Patwari, where the High Court set aside land acquisition on July 19, and adjoining areas. Work is on in full swing and, but for a major quash-acquisition order, the project will be completed by the year-end. On both sides of this road, all major real estate projects in Noida-Extension are located. The Delhi/Ghaziabad-Noida Extension/Greater Noida traffic will get relief, as the road will help commuters bypass busy Noida stretches. It was only after this expressway was constructed in Noida Extension and a bridge was built over the Hindon was built, land prices in the area began shooting up.

Construction only on a 500-meter stretch which falls in abadi area is left. An agreement has been reached with locals. Work on this stretch will begin soon, said a senior official. The 60metre-wide and 12-km-long road will reduce the travel time between the two cities to 20 minutes. At present, residents of Ghaziabad/Delhi have to come to Noida from where three routes reach Greater Noida: DSC road, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and via sector 71. These routes take 60 to 90 minutes.

Date: 11/08/2011 More and more farmers taking hiked compensation in Noida Extn
Greater Noida (UP), August 10 (PTI) In good news for Noida Extension flat buyers, more and more farmers from Patwari village, whose land was acquired for constructing apartments, are coming forward and taking the hiked compensation after signing the agreement with the authorities. Till late this evening, around 150 farmers had taken the hiked compensation from land and acquisition department at the authority office. Several farmers were still at the office which will function till 11 pm. Gautam Budha Nagar MP Surindera Singh Nagar told PTI that more and more farmers, after studying the Patwari pact documents, were coming forward to take the hiked amount. "The Patwari pact was reached due to initiative taken by Nagar after authoritys officers'' attempt had failed to break the ice. A total 1400 farmers from Patwari would be entitled to the hiked compensation. The higher compensation would bring an additional burden on the authorities to the tune of Rs.295crores, said Nagar. August 12 is the last date to execute the out-of-court settlement with Patwari farmers. The authorities hope to get the individual agreements from a majority of the farmers and they would be submitted before the court. Meanwhile, farmers from other villages held a panchayat at Kanarsi village and decided to move the court to get the hike in compensation on Patwari pattern."We are talking to farmers of other villages too and getting their views and priorities and demands. This will help us in striking deal with other farmers," said Nagar.

Patwari queues up to get dues

Vandana Keelor, TNN | Aug 11, 2011, 01.28AM IST

GERATER NOIDA: The voices of dissent against the out-of-court agreement reached between a 15-

member committee of Patwari villagers and the government on August 6 seem to be shrinking into a murmur. Long queues of Patwari farmers - waiting to collect their cheques and sign the draft agreement - could be seen at the office of additional district magistrate (land acquisition) in Greater Noida Authority on Wednesday.

Authority officials claimed to have distributed almost 100 cheques on Tuesday. "We distributed the compensation cheques till about midnight on Tuesday. We hope to hand out another 600 cheques by Wednesday night," said a senior Authority official. GNIDA is giving increased compensation only to those farmers who have agreed to the settlement through affidavits, stating that they will withdraw their petitions and not challenge the deal in court. As per the Patwari agreement, the Authority has to distribute Rs 295 crore among the villagers as compensation. The Authority claims to have already given away Rs 150 crore to the farmers. Authority officials said that with Patwari villagers accepting the revised compensation cheques, they are hopeful that others in Noida Extension would follow suit. This would help them in getting an outof-court settlement in the ongoing land acquisition row. In Patwari, there are 1400 villagers who are eligible for the hiked compensation. "Of these, 1100 farmers of Patwari have not approached the court while 300 have sought judicial intervention," said an official. Currently, there are 150 petitions pending before Allahabad High Court. Voices of discord had risen after the August 6 agreement was inked between the Authority and the farmers. While 15 members who had negotiated on behalf of the Patwari villagers, had stood by their word to the GNIDA, scores of other residents of Patwari were unwilling to accept the government's terms. But things seem to be taking a turn as the 'resolution window' of August 12, provided by the HC, is inching closer."More and more farmers from our village are heading to the Greater Noida Authority office to collect their cheques for the hiked compensation. We hope the matter gets resolved quickly and the development work gets back on track," said Reshpal Yadav, pradhan of Patwari village. If the Patwari pact holds, it will save 20,000 under-construction dwelling units in

the Noida Extension-Greater Noida area which fall in the 589 hectares of Patwarivillage land. Three years ago the Authority had acquired land in Patwari at Rs 850 per sqm. About 15% farmers had not accepted compensation. As per the 'settlement' between the farmers and the Authority, the compensation has been hiked to Rs 1,400 per square metre.

Date:- 18/08/2011

SC asks Patwari farmers to withdraw petitions

Darpan Singh and Kapil Datta, Hindustan Times

Greater Noida, August 18, 2011

There's relief, at least for the time being, for 20,000 buyers, who have booked flats in projects coming up in Noida Extension's Patwari village. The Supreme Court on Wednesday told a group of Patwari farmers to withdraw their petitions that challenged the government's move to make an out-of-court settlement with farmers. A section of farmers in Patwari, where the authority on August 6 struck a higher compensation-based deal to revive real estate projects, had moved the apex court against the pact. In a related development, a judge heading an Allahabad High Court bench constituted for hearing petitions challenging acquisition of land in GautamBudh Nagar district recused himself from the case.

SLP withdrawal a positive sign

TNN | Aug 18, 2011, 06.04AM IST

GREATER NOIDA: Following the Supreme Court asking a group of Patwari farmers to withdraw their special leave petitions in land acquisition cases, Greater Noida Authority CEO Rama Raman has termed the directions as a "positive sign" in resolving the dispute between the villagers and the Authority. Raman has assured all homebuyers and developers of the Noida Extension-Greater Noida area that the ongoing land acquisition crisis will be sorted out very soon. Earlier, on August 8, some farmers from Patwari had filed SLPs in the SC for quashing the Allahabad High Court order for an out-of-court settlement in Patwari. The SC on Wednesday asked these farmers to withdraw their SLPs saying that the previous Allahabad HC orders on August 19 and August 26 was in the farmers' interests and that they must wait for the next hearing on the land acquisition issue. "The process to reach a settlement with the Patwari farmers will continue. Once a new bench is constituted in the HC and the settlement is accepted, we will begin talks with the remaining villages also," Raman said. He added that till Tuesday evening, the Authority had disbursed a total of 930 cheques of enhanced compensation. Of the 91 petitioners from Patwari, 65 have received these cheques and signed affidavits confirming that they will withdraw their petitions. Disputing rumours that the cheques issued by the Authority were not being cleared by the banks, Raman said that till Tuesday evening, the Authority has disbursed cheques worth "Rs 160 crores of which Rs 121 crore worth of cheques have been cleared and the amount transferred to the farmers." "We are yet to be informed about the next date of hearing and that has given us some more time to complete the process of disbursing the total 1,400 cheques worth Rs 295 crores. We will complete the same by the end of this week," Raman said. Some villagers of Patwari had filed SLPs asking the Supreme Court to quash the Allahabad High Court order for an out-of-court settlement in Patwari on the ground that "since one division bench of the High Court had already quashed the notification for land acquisition in Patwari, the affected parties could only have appealed in the Supreme Court instead of seeking a fresh hearing for the same notification by any other bench of the same court." The Allahabad High Court had cancelled notification of around 589 hectares of land in Patwari on July 19. On July 26, the court referred the case to a larger bench. It had granted time to the GNIDA to arrive at an out-of-court settlement with Patwari villagers before August 12.

Houses in Noida Extension likely to cost more

Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times

Noida, September 03, 2011

The concept of affordable housing in Noida Extension and other areas in Greater Noida is now a thing of the past. As if one lakh-odd houses getting stuck in a land acquisition row in Noida Extension was not enough, the

Greater Noida authority has increased land allotment rates, which, in turn, may make all future house bookings costlier by 30%. The new land allotment rates, upped by 16% to 40%, have come into effect immediately. In case of group housing plots, the rate has been hiked from Rs 12,400 per sqm to Rs 17,300 per sqm. For residential plots, allottees will be paying Rs 16,900 per sq m compared to the existing Rs 13,000 per sqm. Rates for commercial, institutional, industrial, hospital and recreational plots have also been hiked. Builders say the move will hit future homebuyers hard. Anil Sharma of Amrapali Group said, "The authority still has a lot of land to auction in Noida Extension and Greater Noida. The burden will be passed on to buyers." Courts have quashed forcible land acquisition by the authority in two villages. Other villages have also moved court. The authority is already spending more than Rs 300 crore in Patwari to make farmers withdraw their quash-acquisition petitions. Meanwhile, the Yamuna Expressway authority said it would give a bonus of Rs 35 per sqm to farmers whose land has been acquired to quell the agitation for compensation. This is a second hike in quick succession. In May, the authority had hiked land allotment rates by 12.5%. Because of UP's new land policy, the authority has to return 16% of developed land or cash in lieu of it to farmers. "When the authority buys and develops land, 50% of it is lost on roads, parks, and community areas. The total saleable area is only 25%," said an official.

Date:05/09/2011 After Patwari, Authority tries to woo Itehda, Haibatpur

Ayaskant Das, TNN | Sep 5, 2011, 01.42AM IST

GREATER NOIDA: Even as the next date of hearing (12/09/2011) on Noida Extension land acquisition cases is inching closer, Greater Noida Authority is now trying to convince villagers of Itehda and Haibatpur to reach an out-of-court settlement. Earlier, the Authority claimed to have reached a truce with Patwari villagers. "For the past few days, we have been in talks with farmers from both the villages to reach an out-ofcourt settlement," said CEO, Greater Noida Authority, Rama Raman. "We hope to arrive at an agreement soon," he said. However, unlike Patwari, where a special committee of villagers was set up for discussion with the Authority, no such group has been formed for Itehda and Haibatpur. "We are discussing the issue with a few elderly villagers, including a number of former pradhans," said Raman. "However, we will take the concerns of all affected villagers into account," he added.

The Authority has made it clear that no 'cash compensation' would be paid to the rest of the villages in Noida Extension. "The Authority is facing a severe cash crunch. It is not possible on our part to dole out hiked compensation in cash to any more villages," said Rama Raman. However, the Authority has made offers of distributing developed plots to the aggrieved farmers apart from carrying out other developmental works in the villages. "The settlement with these villages would be more or less in line with the Patwari pact except for the fact that we will give out a higher percentage of developed plots to each villager whose land has been acquired by the Authority in lieu of hiked compensation," said Raman. As per the Patwari truce, villagers have been promised 8 per cent developed land from the Authority. "Developed land would be a safe investment for villagers and help secure their future unlike extra cash which can be blown away in a few days," said Raman. Meanwhile, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, the farmers' organisation which has been at the forefront of the fight against land acquisition in Noida Extension, has taken strong exception to the fact that the Authority has entered into talks with only a few hand-picked individuals instead of having open discussions with all aggrieved villagers.

Date:-06/09/2011 Realtors to dump affordable houses

Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times

Greater Noida, September 06, 2011

With the Greater Noida authority having hiked, in two strokes in three months, the residential land price by more than 50%, builders will not be able to deliver budget units in Noida Extension or anywhere else in the city. They say doors have been shut for prospective middle-class buyers and, from now on, luxury houses will become a "forced reality" in the area. In 2008, builders set foot in a nondescript cluster of villages across the Hindon in Greater Noida, coined a term "Noida Extension" and started wooing middle-class buyers with lures of affordable housing. They promised two-bedroom flats in the price band of Rs 15 to Rs 25 lakh. While the delivery has been delayed, caught in a legal tangle, with farmers seeking their "forcibly acquired" land back, the authority has hinted the existing one lakh-odd homebuyers in Noida Extension may also have to pay more. "We would have to hike the rate at which land has been allotted to builders. The burden will have to be passed on to the existing buyers," said an official. There will at least be a 40% hike in prices of all future flats to come up on land not auctioned yet. "In all projects based on fresh auctions of land, the new lowest price band will be Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakh. Those with not much income will not be able to afford it; the higher-income group will not need such houses anyway. We will have to switch to costlier houses," said Anil Sharma, vice-president of real estate body CREDAI (NCR).

Around May-end, the authority hiked the land rates by 12.5%, saying it needed money to pay compensation to agitating farmers. On Friday, it again hiked the rates by 40%, saying it needed money to make farmers, seeking their acquired land back, fall in line. In case of group-housing plots, the rate has been hiked from Rs 12,400 per sqm to Rs 17,300 per sqm. For residential plots, allottees will be paying Rs 16,900 per sqm compared to the existing Rs 13,000 per sqm. Sharma, who heads Amrapali Group, said, "The authority still has a lot of land to auction in Noida Extension and Greater Noida. The burden will be passed on to buyers." Because of the new land policy of UP, the authority has to develop the acquired land to return a substantial part of it to farmers.

How much cost to be enhanced?

Adding to the woes of Noida Extension home-buyers, the Greater Noida authority is all set to increase the price of land allotted to builders and individuals. As per the new plan, builders (group housing plots) will have to shell out Rs 2,250 more per sqm, while individuals (residential plots) Rs 500 more per sqm. Once this comes into effect, builders will naturally pass on the burden to flat buyers. Now a person who has booked a house costing Rs 30 lakh will need to pay Rs 2.5 lakh more. Similarly, for a residential plot measuring 200 sqm, the buyer will have to pay Rs 1 lakh more. The hike will first be affected in village Patwari, where the authority has struck a deal with farmers by giving them money on condition that they would withdraw their quash-acquisition petitions and let builders resume construction. The rates are being hiked as the authority needs huge funds for Patwari-like settlements in other villages. Courts have quashed forcible land acquisition done by the authority in Shahberi and Patwari villages, affecting 26,500 houses. Other Noida Extension villages have also moved court seeking their land back. The Allahabad high court will begin daily hearing of all Noida Extension cases from September 12.Moreover, for fresh auctions, the authority has hiked the residential land price by more than 50%. There will at least be a 40% hike in prices of all future flats to come up on land not auctioned yet.

Date: 12/09/2011 HC to hear Noida land acquisition case on daily basis

TNN | Sep 13, 2011, 09.21AM IST

ALLAHABAD: The hearing into the land acquisition cases, acquired in Noida, Greater Noida and Greater Noida Extension by the full judge bench of the Allahabad High Court would continue on Tuesday. The full bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice SU Khan and Justice VK Shukla on Monday permitted the counsels of all the parties to argue the writ petitions filed pertaining to the land acquisition matter of Patwari village.
The petitioners' counsel as well as the counsel appearing for the UP government, Noida and Greater Noida authorities on Monday argued at length in support of their cases. The arguments of the petitioners counsel were that there was colourable exercise of power by the state government and authorities in acquiring their land. They have been illegally deprived from hearing before acquisition of their valuable lands, which have been taken away by the state government and the authorities at a throw away price and the same handed over to the builders at very high price. Opposing the arguments of the farmers, the

counsel appearing for the state government and the Greater Noida Authority had pleaded before the full bench that substantial development work had taken place in Noida and Greater Noida and Extension areas after acquisition of the farmers' land. It was also pointed out by the UP government counsel that the recent apex court judgment given in Shaberi village case will not apply in the case of Patwari village, because in Shaberi case, the land use was changed and there was no development work there. It was also argued that in village Patwari, there was no change in land use and substantial development work had already taken place. The argument was that 80% farmers had taken the compensation against acquisition of their land and in sector II, 200 individuals plots have been allotted and these plots were not given to the builders. The state government also apprised the full bench that about Rs 30 crore has been invested for development of the area and therefore at this stage, after lapse of three years period from the date of notification for the acquisition of the land, the writ petitions of the farmers are not maintainable and entertainable. Since the farmers have taken compensation, therefore the principle of estoppels will apply. It may be recalled that the Allahabad High Court in August had asked the UP government, Noida and Greater Noida authorities, builders and others to file counter affidavits on hundreds of the petitions filed by Gautam Budh Nagar farmers challenging acquisition of more than 3,000 hectares of land for development of Greater Noida and Noida Extension. A full bench of the court had decided to hear the cases on a day to day basis from September 12, 2011.

Date:13/09/2011 CREDAI offers to payRs2,250 per sqm more to Greater Noida authority.
There is some good news for people who spent their hard-earned money hoping to own a house in Noida extension. Even as Allahabad high court started daily hearings in all Noida Extension land acquisition cases yesterday, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (CREDAI) has agreed to pay Greater Noida authority Rs2,250 per sqm more for the land already allotted to builders. The body has also promised not to pass on the burden to the existing buyers. According to Pankaj Bajaj, president of CREDAI-NCR, there was no provision in the allotment agreement (between the authority and builders) according to which the rate of allotment could be hiked, but in the larger interest of the people it is ready to absorb the burden. The Greater Noida authority on 6 September said it would increase the price of land allotted to builders, who were told to pay Rs2,250 per sqm more and the builders in turn said they would pass on the burden (10 per cent of the house cost) to flat buyers. According to Bajaj, CREDAI was not at fault as it bought land from the authority thinking the title was clean and it did not know the land was disputed and its ownership could be challenged. He added CREDAI was trying to make sure the already booked houses did not cost more. The hike would be effected in villages, where the authority was striking deals with farmers, paying them bonus money and high-value plots in return of assurance that the farmers would withdraw their petitions and allow resumption of stuck housing projects. The authority would need crores of rupees for such arrangements. Forcible land acquisition has been quashed by the authority in Shahberi and Patwari villages, affecting 26,500 houses. Other villages in Noida Extension villages have approached courts seeking their land back and in all about 1 lakh buyers had booked houses in Noida Extension and close to 2.25 lakh houses were planned. The hearing into the land acquisition cases, acquired in Noida,

Greater Noida and Greater Noida Extension by the full judge bench of the Allahabad High Court would continue today. The full bench comprising justices Ashok Bhushan, S U Khan and V K Shukla yesterday permitted the counsels of all the parties to argue the writ petitions filed pertaining to the land acquisition matter of Patwari village. The petitioners' counsel and the counsel appearing for the UP government, Noida and Greater Noida authorities had yesterday argued at length in support of their cases. The petitioners' counsel argued that there was "colourable exercise of power" by the state government and authorities in acquisition of their land and they had been illegally deprived from hearing before acquisition of their valuable lands, which had been taken away by the state government and the authorities at a throw away price and handed over to builders at very high price. Countering the farmers' arguments, the counsel appearing for the state government and the Greater Noida Authority pleaded before the full bench that substantial development work had taken place in Noida and Greater Noida and Extension areas after acquisition of the farmers' land

Date:-14/09/2011 Full judge bench to hear land acquisition case on Wednesday

TNN | Sep 14, 2011, 09.29AM IST

ALLAHABAD: The full judge bench of the Allahabad High Court constituted to hear the land acquisition cases in Noida, Greater Noida and Noida Extension in Gautam Buddh Nagar district will continue to hear the cases on Wednesday. The court would continue to hear the land acquisition cases in respect of village Patwari, as the counsels appearing for the UP government and also the counsels appearing for the interveners could not complete their arguments. The full bench consisting of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice S U Khan and Justice V K Shukla is hearing the cases pertaining to land acquisition of Patwari village. The reason for hearing the cases of land acquisition of Patwari village was that the division bench had requested for sending the cases of land acquisition for hearing before the larger bench as there were conflicting judgments of the Allahabad High Court for and against the notification for acquisition of land. The arguments raised on Tuesday against the writ petition of the farmers were that the farmers had already taken their compensation against their land and had signed on the Karar Niyamawali with the authorities and the government. Therefore, they cannot challenge the notification for acquisition of their land. The court would continue to hear the writ petitions in respect of Patwari village on Wednesday.

Date:-15/09/2011 Hearing of five 5 villages for farmers counsel completes

TNN | Sep 15, 2011, 10.45PM IST

ALLAHABAD: The hearing in the land acquisition cases in Noida, Greater Noida and Noida extension continued on the fourth day also before the larger bench, hearing the land acquisition cases of farmers in Gautam Budh Nagar. On Thursday, the hearing in the land acquisition cases of villages Rauza Yaqubpur, Pali, Tulsiyana, Birauli Chakrasenpur was completed as far as farmer counsels were concerned. The reply of the argument advanced by the farmers counsel in respect of land acquisition cases of the aforesaid villages will be given by the counsels of the Noida, Greater Noida and state government including the counsels of builders after completion of the arguments of other villages by the farmers counsels. The larger bench will continue to hear the cases of land acquisition on Friday also.

Date: 21st Sept, 2011

The Noida Extension matter is being taken up by the Hon'ble Larger Bench in the Allahabad High Court on day to day basis. Till today the matters relating to 23-24 villages have been argued on behalf of petitioner's (Farmers) side. The arguments were heard in the villages namely Bisrakh Jalalpur, Gironda, Chuharpur, Khadar, Sadopur, Gharwara, Chaprola, Kherpur Gurjar, Ajaibpur, Namoli, Jaitpur Vaishpur, Mathurapur, Saini, Murshadpur, Haidarpur, Chaprolapur, Rithori, Iteda and Luksar. From 22.09.2011 onwards, the arguments of the villages, namely Badhpura, Raipur, Bangar, Malakpur, Maitha, Ksasna, Rasulpur Rai, Yusufpur, Chak Saveri, Khera Chaganpur, Devla and Junpath shall be heard. After completion of the arguments on behalf of petitioners/ tenure holder, the matter would be argued by and on behalf of State of U.P and Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority. Thereafter the Hon'ble Court will permit to hear the arguments of Builders and Flat buyers association in next week and it is expected that the hearing would be concluded by next week itself.

Date:26

th

Sept, 2011

Noida Extn homebuyers get BJP support

Ayaskant Das, TNN | Sep 26, 2011, 01.32AM IST

Rising up to support thousands of homebuyers in Noida Extension, whose fates have been hanging in balance following the land acquisition row, the BJP on Sunday organized a rally in Noida demanding that all buyers be handed over their houses in the stipulated time as promised to them. The huge rally was attended by Lok Sabha MP of Ghaziabad and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh, apart from several party officials from the state.

"Flat buyers in Noida Extension have been suffering for no fault of theirs," said Rajnath Singh, addressing the rally. "The problems of everyone who has been affected by the land crisis should be solved immediately," added Singh. The huge rally titled, Janadhikar Rally, was organized by the Uttar Pradesh investors' cell of the BJP. "Our primary demand is that all homebuyers should get their homes as promised to them at the time of booking," said national president of BJP investors' cell, Arun Singh. "If investors want their money back, it should be returned together with the interest accrued over the period," added Singh. Homebuyers are at the bottom of the spectrum in the land acquisition row in Noida Extension and would suffer the most if the crisis is not resolved quickly. "The average middle-income families who have booked flats are paying rents for their housing, EMIs on the loans they have availed from banks as well as interest on loans," said Arun Singh. "At the end of the day, they are weighed down by inflationary pressures and are unsure as to whether or not they would get their flats," he added. The BJP said that the state government has committed a breach of trust. "Homebuyers came in hordes to Noida Extension because the state government was an intermediary between buyers and builders," said state president of the BJP investors' cell, Mahesh Chauhan. "The unprecedented housing crisis in Noida Extension took place due to the callousness of the state government. The guilty should be brought to book by conducting a thorough probe," added Chauhan. "Farmers and flat buyers have been the most affected in the land acquisition row. Farmers have lost their source of livelihood following land acquisition, while homebuyers invested all their savings into the houses," said former minister and BJP leader, Nawab Singh Naagar.

Date: - 22nd October, 2011

Ayaskant Das, TNN Oct 22, 2011

Noida Extension news: Allahabad high court verdict resurrect home dreams of thousands of buyers
The Allahabad high court verdict has come as a Diwali bonanza for thousands of home buyers, who were on tenterhooks after the Shahberi judgment three months back nearly snuffed out their dream. The verdict has not only brought the curtains down on a simmering row between farmers and the Authority, but also kept existing buyers immune from cost escalation. Middle-class families who had put their hard-earned savings in projects at Noida and Noida Extension feel the court has put affordable housing back on track. "The verdict has come as a big relief. We were wary about ever owning our dream houses. Lakhs of investors had taken loans from banks and some banks had also backed off after promising loans. The

verdict augurs well for the future of Noida Extension," said secretary of Noida Extension Flat-Buyers Welfare Association, GL Sagar. >> comments from NEFBWA The judgement has been delivered by Hon'ble Allahabad High Court in the land acquisition cases. The judgement is very balanced as it has saved the land acquisition in majority of the villages of Noida Extension where the construction works are going on in full swing. At the same time, the acquisition has been quashed in the villages where there has been virtually no development. The rate of compensation to farmers whose land has been acquired has also been enhanced by 64%. The demand of the farmers to get 10% of the developed land has also been acceded to. It has also been stipulated that the projects can be started only after obtaining approval from N.C.R. Development Board. Hence, we welcome this judgement of the Hon'ble Allahabad High Court and hope that the construction works will soon start in our projects after completion of the formalities and we shall be able to get our homes at the earliest. The judgement of the Hon'ble Allahabad High Court is available on this website.

Date:-12/11/2011

UP planning cell clears doubts in Gr Noida Plan

GREATER NOIDA: In a major step forward to sort out the ongoing land row in Noida Extension, senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh NCR planning cell held a meeting on Friday to clear all doubts pertaining to the Greater Noida Master Plan 2021 in accordance with the Allahabad High Court order. The Planning Cell went through and agreed upon all changes that the Greater Noida Authority had made in the Master Plan. These changes are now being incorporated in the UP sub-regional plan that the cell will then forward to the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) in Delhi for a final sanction. The Authority had sent details of the changes in the Master plan to the state government that, in turn, had forwarded them to the planning cell earlier this month. The HC had ruled that no development activity would be carried out in the area until the NCR Planning Board's approval was obtained. The approval mainly pertains to change in land use of around 2,500 hectares of land in Greater Noida that the Authority claims was approved by the state government at the time. In 2007, the Authority had created 'Noida Extension' by diverting 2,500 hectares of the total 3,000 hectares of industrial land in the area for residential use. This sparked off the controversy that resulted in 40-odd villages approaching the HC for better compensation or return of their land. The HC then ordered for mandatory approval from the NCRPB for the housing projects to continue. Authority officials claim that the UP planning cell's approval means "half the battle is won." According to the Authority, since the NCRPB had been informed of all the changes in the Master Plan at the time they were made, it is likely that following the approval of the planning cell, a sanction from the Planning Board will follow soon. "We are hopeful that the

Planning Board too will sanction the changes soon as everything has been done in conformity with the suggestions of the NCRPB," said GNIDA CEO Rama Raman. Date:15/12/2011

So far journey of Noida Extension residential Project:- The file is approved by NCR Planning Board, Uttar Pradesh Cell. - File is also approved by industrial department of Uttar Pradesh. - The file is presently with UP Housing Department. - From there the file will be sent to the NCR Planning Board, Delhi - In December, 2011 itself a meeting is invoked by NCR Planning Board, Delhi in this subject to approve the proposal which will open way to start construction and next booking in Noida Extension Project.

27/03/2012 Some relief from todays news quoted in TOI as :NEW DELHI: The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Noida Extension housing projects seems to be almost over. The NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) has suggested certain changes to be incorporated in the master plan before it could be approved by the boards technical committee, which, the sources said, could be done by this April. Union urban development minister Kamal Nath said the state government would no longer need the boards approval on the changes made in the Greater Noida Master Plan 2021, which is prerequisite for any work on the development projects in the area to resume. Instead, the government and the Greater Noida Authority will have to incorporate suggestions made by the board, including the provision to increase the green belt and protect the Dadri wetland. The authority then has to submit the master plan to the technical committee of the board for final approval. Sources said the issue was likely to be resolved by April. The UP government, too, on Thursday said interest of investors would be protected. These decisions were taken at the meeting held in the capital attended by UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs trusted aide and minister of state (CM protocol), Abhishek Mishra. He told TOI, We want to work with the Centre. The government has come to power recently. We will soon consider the suggestions made by the board and will get back to the technical committee. Mishra said interests of the people who had invested their lifetime savings would be safeguarded. People should have no fear of Noida losing its importance under the new regime, he said. NCRPB member-secretary Naini Jayseelan said they would not take long to clear the plan once the state had incorporated the changes. The Noida Extension issue can easily be sorted out, she said.

Mishra attending the meeting has also sent some feelers that the state is serious about reviving the plan in which around 50,000 home buyers have already invested. This is perhaps the first time in the recent years when a UP minister participated in an NCRPB meeting. These developments have come as a huge relief to the Greater Noida Authority officials . It is a positive step towards resolving the Noida Extension chaos and we are hopeful that the whole matter will be resolved by April, said authority CEO Rama Raman. Sources said changes proposed by the board would also be incorporated in the sub-regional plan of UP. The master plan was presented to NCRPB earlier this year following an Allahabad high court order that had made it mandatory for the authority to get all changes made in the master plan approved by the board. The approval mainly pertains to the change in land use of around 2,500 hectares in Greater Noida that the authority claims was approved by the state government. In 2007, the authority had created Noida Extension by diverting 2,500 hectares of 3,000 hectares of industrial land for residential use. The same area of land was arranged for the industrial use from the land earmarked for residential purposes in the other part of Greater Noida. But the change in land use has sparked off a controversy. Around 40 villages approached courts, including the Supreme Court, for better compensation or return of their land. HC then ordered for mandatory approval from NCRPB for the projects. MD of Gaursons Manoj Gaur said the decision would help the developer reduce the delay in delivering flats to buyers. He said the builder would expedite the construction work. Amrapali CMD Anil Sharma said the amicable solution of the issue would instill confidence among the investors. Supertech CMD RK Arora said the active participation of the state government in getting the approval from the board augured well for development of Noida and Greater Noida
Source : Times of India.

14/04/2012

Impasse over housing projects to end by May: Rama Raman

Purusharth Aradhak, TNN | May 14, 2012, 02.23AM IST

GREATER NOIDA: Even as Noida Extension buyers took to protests in Delhi on Sunday,Greater Noida Authority chairman and CEO, Rama Raman, assured that things are on the right and fast track to end the deadlock. "The meeting on Greater Noida Master Plan is scheduled on May 22 by the statutory planning committee, while on Monday hearing will be conducted on the review petition of Greater Noida Authority in the Allahabad high court," Raman said. "We have submitted the related papers with the statutory planning committee and are going to file a detailed report before the court," he added. Unlike the NCR Planning Board, the planning committee meets frequently. Raman said

that, considering the pace of developments in this issue, resumption of housing projects may be allowed by May end. Earlier, NCRPB in Delhi had examined Greater Noida's Master Plan 2021 and sent it to its statutory planning committee for recommendations and consideration. The planning board had sought comments from the UP government on certain points. After getting a reply from the government, planning committee will examine it and issue a 'No Objection' note. The vice president of NCR Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (CREDAI) and CMD of Supertech, RK Arora, said that the clearance is not important for just Noida Extension but for the development of the entire Greater Noida. "Till the plan is passed, Greater Noida Authority is in no position to carry out development plans," Arora said. Some feel that a change of guard at Lucknow seems to be working in favour of homebuyers. UP minister, Abhishek Mishra, a close aide of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has made it clear that the interests of thousands of homebuyers would be protected. The approval of the NCRPB mainly pertains to change in land use of around 2,500 hectares of land in Greater Noida that the Authority claims was approved by the state government. In 2007, the Authority had created 'Noida Extension' by diverting 2,500 hectares of the total 3,000 hectares of industrial land in the area for residential use. This sparked off the controversy that resulted in 40-odd villages approaching the HC for better compensation or return of their land. The Allahabad HC then ordered for mandatory approval from the NCRPB for the housing projects to continue.

29/06/2012

Key panel clears way for home buyers in Noida Extension

New Delhi: There is a positive news for thousands of home buyers in 'Noida Extension' after a key panel Thursday approved the Draft Master Plan for Greater Noida 2021. The statutory committee approved the master plan, which, however, needs to be further considered by the National Capital Region Planning (NCRPB) Board. The Allahabad High Court in October 2011 had ordered for mandatory approval from the NCRPB for the projects. "The draft master plan was presented before the planning committee and it is in conformity with the Regional Master Planning Board 2021," said an official. In 2007, the Greater Noida Authority had acquired 3,000 hectares of land for industrial use. Later it carved 2,500 hectares out it for 'Noida Extension', a residential area. This led to farmers from around 40 villages approaching the courts for better compensation for their land. "The meeting was held Thursday attended by principal secretaries of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and member secretaries of NCRB," the official said. The Greater Noida Authority has also incorporated suggestions made by the board.

"There were certain conditions pointed by the NCRB, which have been incorporated in the draft plan like 16 per cent green areas of the total project area and 20 per cent flats for EWS (Economic Weaker Section)," said the official. The board meeting will be attended by the chief ministers of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi along with Urban Development Minister Sri Kamal Nath. IANS
First Published: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 21:02

25/08/2012

Good news for Noida Extension flat buyers

National Capital Region Planning Board on Friday gave its approval to the Draft Master Plan for Greater Noida-2021

New Delhi: In good news for flat buyers in Noida Extension, the National Capital Region Planning Board on Friday gave its approval to the Draft Master Plan for Greater Noida-2021. All the members of the NCR Planning Board and the Chief Ministers of the member-states have signed the approval, Naini Jayaseelan, member-secretary NCRPB told PTI. The National Capital Region Planning Board has Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan as its member-states. The Allahabad High Court had stayed construction in Noida Extension, which is a part of Greater Noida, and directed the Greater Noida Authority to seek approval of its Draft plan from the NCR Planning Board. The Board, which is chaired by union urban development minister Kamal Nath, has okayed the Draft Master Plan with the understanding that the earlier recommendations made by the NCRPB technical committee would be incorporated in the plan, officials said. A statutory committee of NCRPB had already given the the Draft plan the go-ahead after suggesting some modifications, sources said. In Noida Extension, about 2.5 lakh homes were being developed, of which nearly 1.5 lakh have already been sold. The developers welcomed the decision of NCRPB. We are very happy, it is a good news for buyers, developers and farmers. It is a great relief for all stakeholders, Amrapali CMD Anil Sharma said.

It is a relief for more than one lakh buyers who had booked flats in Noida extension. Now, the hurdles have been cleared and construction work can start, Noida Extension Flat Buyers Welfare Association president R P Tyagi said. Several leading builders of the National Capital Region, including Amrapali, Supertech and Gaursons were among the affected developers. Earlier, the NCRPB technical Committee, which had examined whether the Master Plan was in conformity with its NCR regional Plan 2021, had suggested certain modifications which will have to be implemented, an official said. The NCRPB committee had asked the Greater Noida authority to incorporate the changes in its earlier plan to ensure that at least 16% green area is marked out of total proposed urbanisable area, officials said. Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority was also asked to provide 20-25% of housing for Economically Weaker Sections while preparing sector lay-out plans. The Committee had also asked for creation of proper infrastructure for transport including metro, sewage, water and other requirements for the area, officials said. The area can be developed but these modifications suggested by the NCR Planning Board will have to be incorporated, a senior official said. PTI

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Allahabad-H'Court judgement-21-1-11.pdf

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