Noida man booked for unauthorised construction along river embankments

NOIDA: Despite massive crackdowns against sand mafia, the embankments along rivers flowing through Gautam Budh Nagar do not appear safe from illegal construction.

Taking serious note of the illegal construction of ramps after damaging the embankments of the Yamuna and Hindon rivers, the irrigation department has recently lodged an FIR at the Knowledge Park police station.

Arvind Pathak, station house officer, Knowledge Park police station, said that an FIR against Surajmal, a resident of Chilla Saroha village, was lodged on December 28, 2019.

“The suspect has been charged with illegal construction of two ramps, damaging the embankments in Momnathal village near Samaspur. We are investigating the matter and the construction has been halted. If the complaint is found true, we will immediately arrest the suspect,” he said.

Ghaziabad drainage circle superintending engineer Hradya Narayan Singh said embankments on the left side of the Yamuna and right side of the Hindon were made to save Noida from floods.

“This area is highly prone to flooding. During rainy season, floodwater in the region runs along the embankment. Such constructions will not only damage embankments but breach caused by construction can submerge the area,” he said.

Singh added that the FIR was lodged by Dharamveer Singh, a Seenchpal (patrolling messenger) of Ghaziabad drainage construction circle.

“The construction of such illegal ramps can damage multi-storeyed buildings in various sectors in Noida, which may lead to heavy casualties,” he said.

When contacted, district magistrate BN Singh said no damage to embankments will be tolerated. “Stern legal actions must be taken against the person trying to breach the embankments, which have been serving as forts to the district in rainy season,” the DM said.