YEIDA proposes 2 hi-tech cities along Yamuna e-way

With this, the Authority aims to carry out urban expansion along the high-speed corridor.

The Authority, which looks into infrastructure development in six districts (Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura and Agra) falling along the Yamuna, has planned to develop nearly 6,000 hectares of land by making amendment in its Master Plan 2031. The hi-tech cities are proposed to come up in Aligarh, Mathura and Hathras districts.

“Our project of developing these two urban centres is in sync with the ambitious Smart City plan. The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier demanded from the Centre that the YEIDA urban plans should be put into Smart City category,” said a senior YEIDA official.

As per the approved plan, the area will comprise a 100-per cent dedicated industrial area and a heritage city to promote tourism. 

The YEIDA, in its board meeting held last week, had announced to forward its proposals to the state government for the final approval. The Authority will proceed with developing the townships once they are approved by the state government. 

“We have approved the township plan in order to develop these areas. We will forwad it to the state government for the final go-ahead,” said YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh, after the board meeting.

A detailed survey of as many as 1,188 villages has reportedly been carried out along the Expressway between Greater Noida and Agra, with focus on sustained and controlled development. The Authority has decided to develop these cities on the lines of ‘smart cities’. The first twonship, which is proposed in the Tappal-Bajna area of Aligarh, will be developed on over 3,874 hectares of land, while Raya in Mathura-Hathras will be spread across 2,443 hectares.

Officials said the approved plan will be executed under Phase-II of the MPD-2013, under which the land has been reserved for green spaces, besides mixed land use including industrial, residential and institutional. Amphitheaters, open air theatre, museum, theme-based heritage centre, haat to promote local artisans, mela ground, trails, tourit spots, etc, will also be developed in the two cities.

A dedicated tourist zone in Raya urban center will have a riverfront on 110 hectares of land with 25 hectares of water bodies and recreational area covering 315 hectares. The tourism zone will sprawl across 731 hectares. 

The Authority aims to promote the cities among tousits visiting Mathura, Vrindavan and Agra. The Tappal centre will have an area dedicated to industries. The area will include mixed land use space and recreational zone across 800 hectares besides water bodies over 30 hectares.