Huts built in Noida floodplain farmhouses under water, occupants homeless

Yamuna floodplains stretch across several sectors in Noida, including 94, 124, 125, 127, 128, 131, 133, 133, 135, 150 and 168. The farmhouses and other permanent structures in the area are illegal, with the Noida Authority issuing repeated reminders that permanent structures cannot be built on the land since it is agricultural land.

In 2022, authorities had undertaken a massive demolition exercise and demolished close to 200 farmhouses. Many farmhouse owners then had moved the Allahabad High Court and got a stay on the demolition orders.

However, the rules which clarify that permanent structures cannot be built in the area remain in effect. Recently, the Authority had issued a fresh order warning people to not buy agricultural land in the area and use the same for residential purposes.

Hailing from areas like Bareilly, Varanasi, Badaun and Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, most of the occupants of these farmhouses — who are now staying in self-made tents on the roadside — either work at the farmhouses or grow seasonal vegetables in the fields along the Yamuna floodplain.

Ram Snehi had left Fulera Farms on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday after Yamuna waters reached her small hut where she stayed with her husband Satyapal (60) and sons Dharmender and Nagender, both in their early 20s.

Ram Snehi’s family is among the 60-odd people who have left their temporary homes located at the farmhouses after the district administration issued a warning against a rising Yamuna.

Seated on a cot in a makeshift tent she has set up on the roadside, Ram Snehi said that some officials from the district administration arrived on Monday and announced that 3.29 lakh cusecs of water has been discharged into the Yamuna from Hathnikund Barrage at 9 am.

“They further said that ‘it is estimated that this water will reach Delhi and surrounding areas by Tuesday evening, due to which the maximum flood area of Yamuna river is likely to be affected’. They said that people living in the flood area of Yamuna river in Gautam Buddha Nagar should immediately move to safer places with their families and cattle…,” she added.

Noni Ram (51), a security guard at Green Boutique Farm House, said he shifted to Noida 13 years ago with his wife and five children. “We packed all that we could in a hurry… two cots, a trolley, utensils and a fan… We have enough rice, dal and potato to last a week,” said Noni’s wife Anita.

At present, Anita’s biggest fear is the safety of her 15-year-old daughter. “We don’t even have washrooms… Women and girls staying here have to wait to relieve themselves,” she added.

“No one has come to see us in the last three days, except for two policemen,” said Uma Shankar (45), a gardener at Fulera Farm. “Even dogs have a better life than the poor… Thoda sa hangama hua aur sab aamir log sadak pe aa gayee the (The rich came out on the streets over an issue that attracted a little bit of commotion),” he added.

He was referring to the August 11 order of the Supreme Court – directing municipal bodies to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters – which had triggered widespread protests across the country.

Nearly a kilometre away, the gates of the farmhouses remained locked, otherwise booked for parties, wedding, anniversaries, and birthdays. The doors flashed contact numbers and a message – “Bookings will begin only after September 15.”

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