The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stern one-month ultimatum to the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) for its continued failure to act against illegal constructions that are blatantly exploiting groundwater and dumping untreated sewage. This comes after the Authority ignored a five-month-old directive to submit a detailed action taken report.
A History of Inaction and Delays
The case stems from a petition filed in 2021 by former municipal corporator Rajendra Tyagi, highlighting the rampant growth of unauthorized residential and commercial projects in Noida and Greater Noida. The petition specifically accused these illegal establishments of illegally extracting groundwater and discharging raw sewage into the environment.
Representing the petitioner, advocate Akash Vashishta informed the tribunal that despite a clear order dated July 27, 2025, which sought a list of illegal constructions from the authorities, GNIDA provided no response. Consequently, the tribunal directed the petitioner's counsel to furnish the list of illegal sites.
Pollution Board's Verification Confirms Violations
When the case was heard on January 5, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), another respondent, filed its affidavit. The board's report was revealing. It stated that after a two-day ground verification, it confirmed illegal constructions—either completed or ongoing—at 16 out of 24 sites listed by the petitioner.
Despite this confirmation and attaching photographic evidence, the UPPCB took no punitive action. The board defended its inaction by citing a technicality: its mandatory 'consent to operate/establish' clause applies only to constructions measuring beyond 5000 square metres. Since the built-up area at these sites could not be officially confirmed in the absence of any authorized representative, the board claimed its hands were tied.
The counsel for the pollution board further revealed that a letter was sent to GNIDA on December 19, 2025, seeking cooperation to ascertain the built-up areas, but the Authority did not respond.
Petitioner Challenges the 'Baseless' Defence
Advocate Vashishta strongly dismissed the pollution board's reasoning for inaction as "baseless." He pointed out that the petitioner had provided the list of illegal sites to both the board and GNIDA in December 2025 itself, hoping for swift action.
"The core issue here is the unauthorized extraction of groundwater and the open discharge of sewage, irrespective of the project's size," Vashishta argued. He stated that this defence would be challenged vigorously, as environmental damage is not contingent on a specific built-up area threshold.
Frustrated by the lack of compliance, the National Green Tribunal has now given the Greater Noida Authority a final one-month deadline to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing its stance and actions. The next hearing in this protracted case is scheduled for April 8, 2026.
