Noida: Uttar Pradesh industrial development minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi directed officials to accelerate efforts to “improve infrastructure, cleanliness and greenery across the city”.Calling Noida the “crown jewel” of UP, the minister said on Tuesday the city is gaining global recognition and therefore requires better maintenance and beautification. He directed officials to improve sanitation arrangements across all sectors and impose penalties on negligent officials and employees. Besides, incomplete projects pending for several years should be revived and flat buyers’ registries should be prioritised, he said.Nandi, who reviewed development works of Noida Authority in Lucknow on Tuesday, warned officials that negligence, irregularities and corruption in development works would not be tolerated and stressed that development of Noida remains a priority for the state govt.Nandi asked officials to focus on resolving issues related to builders-buyers and directed them to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the Amitabh Kant committee report aimed at reviving stalled housing projects.“We were informed that out of 57 projects, 36 builders deposited 25% of the dues, while six builders didn’t deposit any amount. Action is being initiated against them,” he said.In Noida, there are 21,034 flats in 57 stalled projects. The data show that 36 developers submitted their consent and also paid some dues while 11 developers made partial payment, four gave consent but not any money and six others did not even give consent. Noida has registered 4,506 flats only and collected Rs 872 cr.The minister said people’s hard-earned money remains stuck in these projects and expressed concern over the plight of homebuyers waiting for registries. “Despite owning flats, many people are forced to live in rented accommodation because registries have not been completed. Therefore, strict action should be taken against erring builders,” he said.Nandi also directed officials to clear the backlog of 5% plot allotments within three months under all circumstances. In Noida, 5% plots are residential plots allotted to farmers as compensation when agricultural land is acquired for urban development projects.The minister also talked about illegal encroachments in Noida, which continue to surface frequently, and strict measures are needed to curb them. “The officials should be deployed specifically to prevent encroachments and their accountability must also be fixed. Strict action be taken against concerned officials if complaints of illegal occupation arise after responsibilities have been assigned,” he said.Nandi also sought details of sanitation-related expenditure and instructed authorities to improve parks and undertake plantation drives across roadsides, entry points and public spaces. He said the horticulture department spends nearly Rs 170 crore annually and its impact should be visible on the ground. The minister further said greenery should be made mandatory outside factories in industrial areas.Noida CEO Krishna Karunesh, additional CEOs Vandana Tripathi and Satish Pal, along with general managers and others, attended the programme.
