An investigation by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has revealed that 52 outside investors allegedly purchased agricultural land and posed as local farmers to secure residential plots in Yamuna City. Officials examined 88 applications for plot relocation across 30 villages in Phase I, finding only 13 applicants eligible after comprehensive checks. The remaining 75 claims were disqualified following document verification and the review of satellite imagery dating from 2010 to 2012, which exposed widespread irregularities. The authority is now initiating proceedings against individuals who sought benefits in violation of established norms.
Satellite Scrutiny Exposes Fabricated Residency and Construction Claims
Surging land values driven by regional infrastructure projects prompted outside buyers to acquire farmland in anticipation of securing residential plots reserved for displaced agriculturalists. Several claimants allegedly erected temporary structures on acquired parcels to falsely present them as longstanding residential dwellings. To determine the authenticity of these claims, the authority cross-referenced submitted residency records with archival satellite data. The scrutiny established that 52 applicants were not local residents of the area. In another 23 cases, officials discovered either an absence of any structure or unauthorized construction carried out after land acquisition notifications were formally issued, rendering those claims invalid.
Authority Restricts Plot Benefits to Verified Agricultural Landowners
Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Kumar Singh stated that individuals acquiring land purely for speculative investment will not qualify for rehabilitation benefits created specifically for farmers. He stressed that eligibility will depend strictly on documentary evidence, statutory rules, and the physical status of the land, rather than ownership alone. Separately, the chief executive addressed the pending distribution of an additional 64.7 percent compensation to farmers, noting that the authority has approached the National Company Law Tribunal regarding dues linked to the Suraksha Group. Past enforcement actions also led to the cancellation of 97 leaseback allotments where land was sought for non-residential purposes, with appeals in those cases currently pending review.
Local Youth Recruited for Roles at Noida International Airport
Alongside enforcement measures on land allocations, the authority highlighted ongoing employment initiatives for local residents as development accelerates across the corridor. A total of 184 young candidates recently applied for positions at the upcoming Noida International Airport, including 101 graduates and 83 non-graduates. Offer letters have been issued to 55 graduates, while document verification remains underway for 27 others. Officials confirmed that non-graduate candidates will receive priority consideration for job openings within the airport cargo village, aligning administrative scrutiny on land welfare with local workforce recruitment.
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