T-Series denies land nod, key Gr Noida road to decongest Pari Chowk back in limbo

Time of India

25-04-2025

Noida: T-Series has contested
Greater Noida Authority
's claim that it agreed to give up land in Namoli village for a 1.5km six-lane road from LG Chowk to Knowledge Park-3.
The Rs 31-crore project, stalled for 15 years, is designed to unclog the crucial junction of Pari Chowk, improve connectivity between the city's knowledge hubs, and provide a direct link between Noida sectors 146-147 and Greater Noida. Currently, a single-lane carriageway, built in 2010, struggles to handle two-way traffic, creating safety hazards and severe congestion at the roundabout.
Earlier this month, GNIDA had said it had secured in-principle approvals for the project, which will feature a modern six-lane road, including three lanes in each direction, along with service roads, a central verge, and a drainage system.
On Friday, T-Series accused the Authority of breaking promises and making unilateral decisions. It accused the Authority of misleading the public and media by suggesting that a settlement was reached for the acquisition of land owned by the company in Namoli.
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The company insisted it set conditions—the Authority should acquire only 10 acres needed for the road, allot alternate land of equal size in the vicinity and approve a development plan for its remaining land—before the final agreement for the land acquisition.
"This land lies between Surajpur-Kasna Road and Expo Mart in Knowledge Park 3 and has been legally owned by T-Series since 1987, before GNIDA's formation in 1991. Gulshan Kumar bought around 300 acres from different landowners," said Vinay Kumar Mittal, a T-Series spokesperson.
The land is non-agricultural, freehold in nature, and was used by our group for industrial purposes until operations were halted due to the construction of a railway line under the Dedicated Freight Corridor, which bisected the property. At one time, T-Series operated around 15 manufacturing units here, producing cassettes, incense sticks, and other items. These units eventually shut down as cassettes became obsolete, Mittal added.
He claimed that in 2009-10, GNIDA began constructing a road from LG Chowk to Knowledge Park 3 without formally acquiring T-Series land. When the company objected, officials allegedly assured them of alternate land. "We fell for their talks," said Mittal.
After 12 acres were used for one carriageway, T-Series demanded GNIDA fulfil its promise. When denied, the company halted construction of the second carriageway by approaching the Allahabad High Court.
Mittal alleged GNIDA capitalised on the partially completed road by selling nearby land at premium rates without compensating T-Series. "We were misled with false assurances. Now they want more land without addressing our long-pending demands," he said.
The company warned of legal action if its concerns remain unaddressed.
To resolve the impasse with T-Series, the Authority in its March 29 board meeting had proposed a conditional settlement. Under this proposal, 40% of undeveloped land was to be returned to the company, subject to payment of external development fees as per current GNIDA rates. The remaining 60% was to be acquired by the Authority with compensation paid at prevailing circle rates.
T-Series currently has about 197 acres in its possession. GNIDA also proposed that land coverage, FAR and setback norms, applicable in 1992 (before the area came under GNIDA's jurisdiction), would be honoured, though current FAR charges would apply during purchase. Layout maps would be prepared after formal agreements with the company.
The proposal was also sent to the state govt for approval.
The company has said that it has rejected the offer. "We have not agreed to hand over any percentage of our remaining land, nor consented to any terms and conditions. We are ready to part with only 10 acres of land strictly needed for the road, not an inch more. If the Authority proceeds without resolving our concerns, we will approach the court and stop construction," Mittal said.
GNIDA sources, meanwhile, indicated that if talks fail, they may invoke emergency provisions under the Land Acquisition Act in public interest now, given the road's strategic importance for regional connectivity, especially ahead of the Noida International Airport becoming operational.