UP govt approves Master Plan 2041 for Yamuna Expressway areas

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) on Tuesday said the Uttar Pradesh government has approved its Master Plan 2041, which aims to continue development of the area falling under the catchment area of ​​the Noida International Airport at Jewar, which is scheduled to be operational by April 2025, and areas along the Yamuna Expressway.

The authorities have addressed several concerns raised by the Uttar Pradesh state capital and urban planning department regarding the Urban Raya Centre, a key component of the Master Plan 2041.

The UP government has proposed changes to spatial development regulations for areas including data centres, green areas, healthcare facilities, research centres, transport infrastructure and Yamuna flood zones.

The Yeida Board approved the master plan in January 2024 and sent it to the government for discussion and approval. However, in July 2024, the government asked Yeida to make several changes to the master plan and then resubmit it for approval.

“We made the suggested changes and then sent it back for approval. And finally, the government approved the Master Plan-2041. Now, this master plan will guide us in industrial and urban development to meet the requirements created by the airport project,” said Arun Vir Singh, CEO, Yeida.

The area covered by the Yeida notification is spread over 3,352 square kilometres (sq km) in six districts: Bulandshahr, Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras and Agra.

Master Plan-2041 focuses on Phase 1 covering 759 (sq km) Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr.

Mega projects like a medical device park, semiconductor park, Olympic park, electronic city, film city, central business district (CBD) and aerotropolis around the Noida international airport are part of the Master Plan 2041, officials said.

“It is also proposed to develop commercial activities in an area of ​​480 hectares to support the city’s business and commercial facilities. Anticipating future international sports events in India, Yeida has also planned an Olympic park, offering comprehensive sports facilities and accommodation for athletes,” said a Yeida official, requesting anonymity.

Yeida also addressed the objections raised by the central planning department regarding the Urban Raya Centre.

“Near Mathura, in the urban centre of Raya, a Heritage City project is being planned at a cost of ₹7,200 crore in the first phase, covering 753 acres. Now that the Master Plan 2041 has been approved, the authorities will start development in Raya of Mathura, Gautam Budh Nagar and Bulandshahr area,” Singh said.

The Uttar Pradesh government on April 24, 2001, set up YEIDA for planned development along the 165-km Yamuna Expressway between Greater Noida and Agra. The aim was to set up industries to generate employment and develop urban areas in the region. About 2 lakh hectares of 1,187 villages in six districts — Gautam Budh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura and Agra — were notified under YEIDA.