490 illegal structures near Arthala lake could be razed

GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) is gearing up to carry out a demolition drive around Arthala lake, the largest water body in the district, in compliance with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order. The next hearing is slated for May 31.
Arthala is one of the main water bodies in the district and lies in close to Hindon. The encroachment of the lake has led to reduction of its area from 2,09,031 sq m to 1,32,000 sq m, as per an environmentalist Sushil Raghav. There are an estimated 490 illegal structures on the encroached land.
“In compliance with NGT’s order, we’re gearing up to carry out demolition drive around Arthala lake on April 29,” said RN Pandey, additional municipal commissioner. “We’ve already written to authorities for additional police force and a magistrate under whom the drive will takes place,” he said.
The encroachment of Arthala lake came into focus when Raghav filed a petition in NGT in 2016. Raghav claimed the area of Arthala lake was supposed to be 2,09,031 sq m, but nearly half of it is encroached.
“The NGT, in September 2016, had ordered the lake area be cleared of illegal structures and its sanctity be restored but the case kept on dragging on for years,” said Raghav. “In 2017, I filed a contempt plea in the case and the court heard the matter on April 22 this year, in which authorities sought more time.”
“While seeking time, the authorities said that since election is process it would be difficult to get police force. So the court granted them time till May 31 to ensure compliance and before that the GMC wants to carry out the drive,” he added.