The National Green Tribunal, under the chairmanship of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A. Senthil Vel, has directed the Union Government to submit a response regarding purported illegal constructions in Noida and Greater Noida.

The tribunal has received an application from Rajendra Tyagi, highlighting substantial unauthorized and illegal construction activities underway in Greater Noida and Noida, which are in violation of environmental regulations.

Advocate Akash Vashishtha, representing the applicant, stressed that these constructions were consuming topsoil, thereby triggering widespread illegal mining of topsoil in the surrounding villages. This activity resulted in the creation of vast and hazardous pits, initiating a detrimental cycle of environmental degradation. Consequently, it led to the formation of extensive and perilous craters, perpetuating a harmful environmental cycle.

Advocate Vashishtha contended that the constructions were carried out without obtaining the required Consent to Establish and Operate, as per Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).

Furthermore, Advocate Vashishtha argued that these unauthorized developments lacked adequate sewage infrastructure and neglected to obtain the essential Consent to Establish and Operate under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, along with the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) for water extraction from tube wells.

Advocate Vashishtha emphasized that, according to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), there was no information available in office records regarding these developers or their developments. Furthermore, he provided photographs depicting unauthorized constructions that contravened environmental laws.

Recognizing the substantial concerns regarding compliance with environmental regulations raised by this case, the tribunal issued a notice to the Union Government, requesting a response.