Impose Complete Ban on construction in Yamuna Flood Plain: Hema Malini

• Hema Malini writes letter to CM Yogi Adityanath to protect Yamuna Flood Plain
• Mathura MP call for stringent action against the illegal colonizers, builders and land mafia

2023.07.28 (Vrindavan Today News): The recent flood in Yamuna caused extensive damage to the properties and livelihoods, with many residential colonies falling victim to the rising waters of the Yamuna. The devastating floods submerged hundreds of villages and numerous illegally built colonies in Mathura District.

Member of Parliament (MP) from Mathura Smt. Hema Malini has urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take stringent action against illegal colonizers, builders, and land mafia operating in the Yamuna Khadar (flood plain) area.

For several years, the local residents and authorities have been grappling with unauthorized constructions undertaken by land mafias and unscrupulous builders, who have encouraged innocent citizens to buy land plots for residential purposes in the vulnerable flood-prone area.

The local registry department has also come under fire for facilitating land purchases without imposing any checks or restrictions on the acquisition of Khadar lands along the Yamuna River. This lack of oversight has not only exposed the people to significant financial losses but has also presented severe challenges to the administration during natural disasters like the recent floods.

In her letter to the Chief Minister, MP Hemamalini has emphasized the urgent need to identify the flood-affected areas and impose a complete ban on new constructions in these regions. She has directed the concerned authorities, including the local development authorities, district panchayats, and municipal corporations, to strictly enforce the prohibition on illegal colonizers and land developments within the Yamuna Flood Plain.

Yamuna Khadar, being a fertile floodplain, is ecologically sensitive and essential for maintaining the river’s ecological balance. Encroachments and unauthorized constructions in this region have not only disrupted the natural flow of the river but have also worsened the impact of natural calamities, leading to colossal destruction of property and endangering the lives of the locals.

Furthermore, MP Hemamalini has stressed the significance of conducting thorough investigations to identify and take strict legal actions against those responsible for encroachments and illegal constructions in the flood-affected areas. Such steps will serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous elements and safeguard the interests of the innocent citizens who have unwittingly invested in these high-risk regions.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has yet to respond to MP Hemamalini’s appeal. As the situation remains critical and requires immediate attention, the Chief Minister’s response is awaited with anticipation from the flood-affected communities and concerned citizens.

The call for action against illegal colonizers, builders, and land mafia by Smt. Hemamalini comes as a ray of hope for the affected residents of Mathura. It remains to be seen how the state government responds to this urgent plea and takes concrete steps to protect the Yamuna Khadar and its inhabitants from further harm caused by unplanned and unlawful constructions.

As the flood waters recede, the true extent of the damage caused by illegal encroachments will be revealed. It is essential for the authorities to act decisively and ensure that the Yamuna Khadar is protected and preserved for future generations, free from the threat of unregulated construction activities that jeopardize both the environment and human lives.