The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has once again granted four weeks to the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) to file a response regarding illegal constructions in Noida, despite repeated affidavits and rejoinders filed by former municipal corporator Rajendra Tyagi. The authority, responsible for curbing such activities, has failed to comply with earlier NGT orders, leading to further delays.
Background of the Case
Tyagi has been filing affidavits before the NGT highlighting unauthorized constructions in the city. However, GNIDA has not responded adequately. The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) stated that a report from GNIDA is necessary to determine whether the flagged constructions exceed the 5,000 square meter area limit, which requires consent to establish. Last July, GNIDA’s counsel promised a detailed affidavit within three weeks, but nine months and three hearings later, the authority continues to stall, refusing to disclose which constructions exceed the threshold and lack consent to operate or establish.
NGT’s Latest Order
The tribunal, comprising its chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and expert member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, on April 8 allowed GNIDA another four weeks and listed the matter for the next hearing on July 23. The NGT clarified that it is only examining illegal constructions that violate environmental norms, particularly the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and those without consent to establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO) from UPPCB.
List of 24 Constructions
On January 5, UPPCB’s counsel informed the tribunal that the applicant had submitted a list of 24 constructions allegedly undertaken without necessary CTO or CTE. Out of these, 16 had geo-coordinates, and upon examination, none were tentatively found to exceed 5,000 square meters. Hence, no CTE or CTO was required for them. However, the counsel added that to obtain authentic information regarding built-up area, they have requested GNIDA to provide the built-up area of these plots.
Counsel for the applicant, Akash Vashishtha, argued that although it is the duty of authorities to identify illegal constructions and take action, it was on the NGT’s direction that they furnished an exhaustive list of illegal residential and commercial sites to UPPCB via an email dated November 27, 2025. Despite the email, illegal and unauthorized constructions at the mentioned sites, as well as those referred to by Tyagi in his application and additional affidavits dated September 24, 2024, March 25, 2025, and July 25, 2025, continue unabated.
Criticism of 5,000 sqm Threshold
Vashishtha further pointed out that the 5,000 square meter criterion is illogical, as buildings with smaller carpet areas also extract groundwater and generate waste and sewage. Without proper approvals, these structures put undue pressure on natural resources. The NGT has yet to rule on this argument.
