Noida to begin sealing drive today

The Noida Authority has announced a sealing drive against all commercial establishments running out of residential or industrial areas. The drive will be begin Friday from Sector-19 in Noida. It is expected to affect hundreds of establishments,including various local grocery stores.

The sealing,said Noida Authority officials,is in line with a recent Supreme Court directive,which called for closing of commercial establishments — mainly banks and nursing homes — in residential areas. The apex court had given the banks a total of six weeks to shift operations.

“The initial court order,dated December 4,said banks had to shut operations immediately. That has not happened despite several notices. So,we will begin sealing of all establishments,including banks and nursing homes,which violate clauses of land use from tomorrow,” said an official of Noida Authority. Sector-19 has more than 20 branches of various banks in residential areas.

“This is one of the sectors where banks and nursing homes have encroached on residential plots,” said Captain SK Dwivedi,CEO of Noida Authority.