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The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has identified 351 illegal colonies, covering approximately 3,000 acres, and is cautioning residents against investing in these properties. Many of these unauthorized settlements have emerged over the past few decades, with 30 new ones appearing since 2021. Despite regular demolition drives and the development of an AI-enabled detection system, GDA faces challenges, especially with older colonies, as buyers often misunderstand that property registration alone provides legal validity. This issue, exacerbated by middlemen, highlights a persistent legacy problem in urban planning and enforcement across Ghaziabad.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has identified 351 illegal colonies, spanning approximately 3,000 acres across Ghaziabad. The authority is now cautioning residents against investing in these properties, emphasizing the risks involved. Advertisement
Many of these unauthorized settlements have been established over the last few decades, with a notable 30 new ones identified since 2021. A significant issue contributing to investment in these properties is a common misunderstanding among buyers. They often believe that the registry process provides legal sanctity, despite the Registration Manual not permitting a blanket ban on registries in unauthorized areas.
The article points to specific areas with a high concentration of illegal colonies. New Karhera colony, for instance, covers 250 acres on the Hindon River floodplains and was severely affected by floods in 2023. Loni is another area with numerous illegal colonies, including 43 colonies on 43 acres in Loni Ailyabad, and large patches in Sikhrani and Pavi Sadipur.
In response to this persistent challenge, the GDA is conducting daily demolition drives. These operations are carried out under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Ordinance 1973, aiming to curb the continued growth of these unauthorized colonies. However, authorities face particular difficulty in effectively cracking down on older, more established settlements.
To enhance its enforcement capabilities, the GDA is also developing an Artificial Intelligence-enabled Illegal Construction Detection System. This system is designed to monitor and prevent further unauthorized construction activities.
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