Master Plan 2041: GNIDA set to build commercial hub close to airport site

GREATER NOIDA: The GNIDA Board has given preliminary approval to its Master Plan 2041 that proposes increasing the land allocated for industrial use and leveraging the area’s proximity to the Noida International Airport to develop a commercial hub in the city.

Currently, 25.4% of the 40,000-hectare area – called phase 2, which proposed to be developed under the master plan — is for industries. The state government wants this share to be increased, officials of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) said on Thursday.

The GNIDA board on August 12 granted preliminary consent, which would bring under the authority’s fold villages along the Hapur and Bulandshahr border too, the official said.

But, the official added, final approval is still pending. Discussions are to be held with all stakeholders and objects are to be sought from the public before the master plan can be given a green light.

“This discussion with stakeholders is required to preempt potential implementation challenges. For instance, the irrigation department would provide crucial information about any canals or drains in the master plan area while the forest department would contribute insights regarding wetlands and greenery.
The district administration’s input regarding ponds and lakes is equally essential to ensure seamless execution of the plan,” said GNIDA chief executive officer Ravi Kumar NG.

Sources in the authority said the master plan has been under consideration since 2007 and has seen several delays with minimal progress. They stressed that there was a need for swift action to stop rampant illegal construction of warehouses, shops, schools and colonies in the area.

A key component of the master plan 2041 is to encourage mix-land use in areas close to the under-construction Noida International Airport in Jewar, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Yamuna Expressway Authority (Yeida). GNIDA aims to position Greater Noida as the first-stop destination connected to the airport.

For this, the proposal includes extension of a 130-metre-wide road that currently begins from Greater Noida West and concludes at Sirsa. The Greater Noida Authority wants to extend this by 8 kilometres, up to the Adauda village under (Yeida).

Roads such as these should be developed as a hub of the hospitality sector, commercial establishments and related recreational activities, according to the proposal. Further, they should be bolstered by connectivity with transit corridors.

Other features proposed are integration of public transportation modes,including MRTS, non-motorised transport, cycle tracks and pedestrian pathways, among others.

Additionally, the plan emphasises on the development of a waterfront along the Upper Ganga Canal and green corridors in areas such as NTPC Dadri and the Noorpur catchment.