Yamuna Authority Reclaims Prime Land Worth Rs 1,000 Crore in Mathura District
In a significant crackdown on illegal encroachments, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) successfully reclaimed approximately 62 acres of valuable land in Mathura district on Wednesday. This land, earmarked for the prestigious Heritage City and Raya Urban Centre projects, has an estimated market value of nearly Rs 1,000 crore.
Demolition Drives Target Illegal Constructions
The authority conducted extensive demolition operations across three key villages: Piprauli Khadar, Aruwa Khadar, and Panigaon Khadar. During these drives, YEIDA teams dismantled numerous under-construction illegal hotels and roadside eateries that had sprung up within the designated limits of the Heritage City project. Officials noted a recent surge in unauthorized commercial and residential activities in this area, prompting the decisive action.
One of the major targets was an unauthorized colony that had developed over nearly 2 hectares along the Yamuna riverbank. Additionally, two illegal colonies located in the project's core zone—specifically in Aruwa Khadar and Piprauli Khadar—were completely razed to the ground.
Coordinated Effort Ensures Peaceful Operation
The demolition drive was led by YEIDA OSD Shailendra Kumar Singh, with robust support from the Mathura district administration and local police forces. To maintain law and order, personnel from 11 police stations and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) were deployed throughout the operation. The exercise proceeded peacefully and continued until 6 PM, with no major incidents reported.
YEIDA officials have affirmed that similar anti-encroachment actions will be sustained across all project areas to prevent further illegal occupations.
Recent Demolition Drives Yield Substantial Results
In a related operation conducted just two days earlier on Monday, YEIDA cleared encroachments from over 25 acres of land within its notified area, with the land value estimated at around Rs 400 crore. Key actions included:
- Demolition of an unauthorized colony branded as "Green City" spread across 12 acres in Dayanatpur village.
- Removal of illegal plotting activities on an adjoining 7-acre parcel of land.
- Clearance of unlawful structures along the 60-metre-wide road leading to the upcoming Noida International Airport.
- Freeing nearly 6 acres of land from encroachment in Sabota Mustafabad village.
Long-Term Crackdown on Land Mafias
Officials revealed that over the past three years, YEIDA has conducted nearly 30 major anti-encroachment drives, reclaiming land worth approximately Rs 7,500 crore. The authority highlighted that land mafias have become increasingly active in the Jewar–Mathura–Aligarh belt, spurred by the announcement of the new international airport and rapid industrial growth, which have significantly driven up land prices.
These scammers often employ deceptive tactics, such as carving up agricultural lands into illegal plots without any official approval. They then erect boundary walls and install signboards to create an illusion of legitimacy, marketing these properties as "dream homes" near the upcoming Jewar airport to unsuspecting buyers from the Delhi-NCR region.
The consistent efforts by YEIDA underscore a firm commitment to safeguarding planned urban development and curbing fraudulent real estate practices in the region.
