India, Jan. 31 -- Illegal construction spread across nearly 6,000 square metres inside the Hindon river floodplain was demolished later Thursday in Haibatpur area of Greater Noida, officials said on Friday.

The move follows growing concerns over shrinking river floodplains and unchecked urban sprawl, they said.

The land, located within the flood-prone zone of the river, had reportedly been levelled and marked for plotting, raising alarm over the steady erosion of the drainage areas that play a crucial role during monsoon floods.

Officials said the area falls within a notified floodplain where construction is prohibited as it obstructs water flow, increases flood risk downstream and disturbs the local ecology. However, colonisers allege...