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Ghaziabad authorities have formed a four-member committee to identify illegal permanent constructions on the Yamuna floodplain in Loni. Led by Additional District Magistrate Saurabh Bhatt, the team includes the SDM of Loni, a zonal officer from the Ghaziabad Development Authority, and an irrigation department official. They are tasked with submitting a report within a month for clearance and action. The initiative follows recurring floods that required the rescue of around 400 people from unauthorized structures this year, highlighting risks from encroachments in flood-prone zones.
The District Magistrate of Ghaziabad has set up a four-member committee to investigate illegal permanent constructions along the Yamuna floodplain in Loni. The committee is headed by ADM Saurabh Bhatt and includes the SDM of Loni, a zonal officer from the Ghaziabad Development Authority, and an irrigation department official. Their objective is to identify unauthorized constructions and submit a detailed report within a month so that appropriate clearance and action can follow. Advertisement
Flooding in Loni has become a recurring issue since 2023. This year, authorities had to rescue around 400 people from constructions built in restricted floodplain areas. Officials noted that, except for 2023, floods in recent years have generally not breached the Alipore embankment. However, settlements have emerged illegally on the opposite side of the embankment, creating significant safety and environmental risks.
ADM Bhatt highlighted that over 13 villages, including Badarpur, Illaichipur, and Pachyera, lie along the Yamuna in Loni. In rural areas, the floodplain is generally considered 2.5 km from the midstream of the river on both sides, while in urban areas, it extends up to 100 meters. Another measure uses the highest flood level recorded in a 100-year cycle to define floodplain boundaries.
In Loni, the 18 km Alipore embankment, of which 9.6 km is within Loni and the rest in Baghpat district, serves as a reference for floodplain demarcation. Land in this zone, whether privately or government-owned, is intended for agriculture or allied activities, and permanent construction is prohibited. Despite this, some buyers have been misled into purchasing land in these areas, resulting in illegal construction.
The committee's work is expected to guide the removal of unauthorized structures and prevent future encroachments. Authorities emphasize that maintaining clear floodplains is essential for public safety, ecological balance, and disaster preparedness.
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