The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) has approved a huge urban center spanning 10,500 hectares along the 165-kilometer Yamuna Expressway to Agra. This expansive project, roughly half the size of Noida city, seeks to accommodate manufacturing units, setting the stage for job creation and business expansion in the region.
The UP Industrial Development Act, 1976, has been implemented by the UP Government to ensure organized growth of industrial and related activities in the state. Under this Act, NOIDA, Greater NOIDA (GNOIDA), and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) have been established for the planned development of their respective notified areas near Delhi.
This strategic approach prevents unauthorized urban expansion. Noida and Greater Noida are key townships near the YEIDA area, significantly influencing its development. Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a major tourist destination approximately 210 km from Delhi by road.
During the 79th board meeting on Monday, the Yeida board not only approved the urban center project but also validate the Master Plan 2041, outlining the development roadmap for the next 18 years within its jurisdiction. However, a decision regarding a potential toll hike on the Yamuna Expressway was postponed.
Officials revealed that the board’s approval grants Yeida the authority to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for this massive industrial undertaking. The demand for industrial land has risen, driven in part by the forthcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, with the first phase expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
Yeida’s plan includes the development of four dedicated Special Economic Zones (SEZs), solidifying the urban center as the largest industrial zone in the region. These SEZs will focus on electric vehicles and related products, electronic products, semiconductors, and data centers, respectively. Arun Vir Singh, CEO of Yeida, conveyed enthusiasm about the project, emphasizing its distinctive nature that will enhance the economic growth of the region.
The approval of Master Plan 2041 extends beyond the industrial hub. It encompasses the development of a logistics park in Aligarh, a heritage city in Mathura, and various projects in the urban areas of Gautam Budh Nagar and Bulandshahr. Yeida aims to cater to a population of 3.9 million by providing housing and other facilities. The master plan also accommodation for workers within industrial units along the expressway, aligning with the broader vision of integrated development.
The Yamuna authority has allocated land usage in the urban center, reserving 35% for green areas, 17% for mixed land development, 23% for industrial use, 5% for commercial use, 13% for traffic and utility services, 4% for an aviation hub, and the remaining for other purposes. The development will happen across land acquired from 1,194 villages along the expressway.
In additional decisions, the board opted for a change in the allotment process for institutional projects. Plots of 10 acres or more intended for colleges, hospitals, medical colleges, technical institutes, and management colleges will now be allotted through interviews rather than e-auctions. This adjustment is intended to provide institutions with land at more affordable rates.
Furthermore, the board granted an extension until June 30, 2024, without penalty, for approximately 42,000 plot allottees of industrial and residential schemes to execute lease deeds. These allottees, dating back to 2008-09, will have additional time to complete the necessary paperwork.
Yeida also decided to adopt the recommendations of the realty policy notified by the government on December 21, 2023. This move facilitates the execution of registries by homebuyers in stalled housing projects, benefiting around 14,000 homebuyers in Yeida areas. Arun Vir Singh disclosed that discussions with realtors had taken place, dues had been calculated, and the issuance of registry permission awaited a final nod, potentially in the upcoming February board meeting.
Yeida gave a approval for the allocation of 125 acres to Tarq Semiconductors Private Limited, a Hiranandani Group company. With an estimated investment of ₹17,000 crore, the project aligns with state and Union government instructions, focusing on employment creation, skill development, and revenue generation.
As Yeida positions itself for transformative growth, the approval of these projects marks a crucial step towards realizing its vision for a strong and diversified economic landscape in the region. The upcoming months promise further developments as these initiatives progress through detailed planning and execution stages.
