GDA warns public against investing in 351 unauthorised colonies; full list released

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has issued a strong warning to the public. In a new advisory, GDA has said that 351 colonies in Ghaziabad have been marked as unauthorised and people should not invest in properties located in these areas.

As per a report by Times of India, there were 321 illegal colonies in 2021, but the number has increased by 30 in the last few years. These colonies now spread over 3,000 acres, and many of them have grown without permission over the past 35 to 40 years.

A senior GDA official said, “We have now made the list of all these unauthorised colonies public. People must be careful and not buy land or property in these areas.” The official further said that investors often get fooled, as many of them do not verify documents or check whether the land is legally approved or not.

Misunderstanding about registry and daily demolitions

One major reason why people still invest in these colonies is the misconception about land registry. Since registration of land or property in these colonies is technically allowed, many buyers wrongly believe that it makes the purchase legal. However, the GDA has clearly stated that registration does not give legal approval to the property.

According to Clause 241 of the Registration Manual, registration officers cannot refuse to register documents even if the land is in an illegal colony. But the manual also says that the validity of the documents is not the responsibility of the officer doing the registration. So, buyers must understand that a registered sale deed does not make a property legal.

To stop further illegal growth, the GDA has been conducting demolition drives regularly. The official said, “We are carrying out demolition drives almost daily.” These actions are being taken under Clauses 26, 27, and 28 of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Ordinance, 1973.

Even though there is often strong opposition from local residents, GDA is continuing its demolition efforts to stop these unauthorised colonies from expanding further.

Technology to stop illegal construction

The GDA is also working on an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled system. This new technology will help officials detect illegal constructions early and prevent the growth of unauthorised colonies. Once implemented, this system is expected to help the development authority take quick action before large-scale illegal development happens.

The issue of illegal colonies is also tied to the presence of middlemen who take advantage of unaware buyers. These middlemen earn profits by selling land at low rates in such colonies without informing buyers of the risks involved.

Experts say that without proper documents and legal approval, residents of unauthorised colonies miss out on basic facilities like water supply, sewage systems, electricity, and roads. Also, future problems like demolitions, no property tax records, and court cases can trouble such buyers for years.

People are advised to always check the legal status of a colony before buying any property. The GDA also encourages potential buyers to verify documents with the authority and check the colony’s status online or at their offices.

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Summary of key points:

• GDA has listed 351 unauthorised colonies in Ghaziabad.

• These colonies have grown illegally over the last 35–40 years.

• People are advised not to buy property in these areas.

• Registry does not make the property legal, and buyers often get misled.

• GDA is conducting daily demolition drives to stop illegal growth.

• An AI system is being developed to detect illegal buildings faster.

• Always verify property documents before making a purchase.

This advisory is an important reminder for all homebuyers and investors to be alert and informed before putting their money into property deals.