UP Govt plans 'New Agra' heritage city on Yamuna Expressway

28 Nov 2024 CW Team

The state government of Uttar Pradesh has planned the development of a heritage city called ‘New Agra Urban Centre’ along the Yamuna Expressway in Agra district. The new city, designed by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), will primarily focus on commercial and tourism activities. Covering 10,500 hectares of land—about half the size of Noida—the city will be developed on land identified in 60 villages of the Etmadpur tehsil in Agra.

The draft blueprint for New Agra was created in collaboration with a consultant after conducting socio-economic surveys of the region. Initially, land for the project was identified in Hathras district, but the location was revised following assessments. The next phase of development involves on-site land verification to evaluate connectivity, encroachments, and other factors before submitting the final proposal to the state government for inclusion in the Master Plan 2041.

A major focus of the new city is to enhance Agra’s commercial potential, leveraging the tourism appeal of landmarks like the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. Officials have emphasized that the project will adhere to strict environmental regulations to protect the Taj Mahal, particularly within the Taj Trapezium Zone. The city will feature theme parks and recreational spaces as part of its urban design.

This development is YEIDA’s first significant urban planning initiative along the Yamuna Expressway, complementing the upcoming Noida International Airport, expected to boost tourism to Agra. YEIDA's jurisdiction spans 1,149 villages across six districts, including Agra, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Hathras.

Infrastructure Transport

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