Uttar Pradesh approves development plan for Agra and Mathura

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the second phase of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority's (YEIDA) Master Plan 2031. This decision will enable significant infrastructure and urban development in the areas of Mathura, Agra, Aligarh, and Hathras. The approved plan covers 3,352 square kilometers across six districts. The Master Plan is divided into two phases. Phase I includes 759 square kilometers and has been focused on Gautam Budh Nagar and Bulandshahr. Phase II, which covers 2,593 square kilometers, targets urban centers in the other listed districts. Current development activities are focused on Phase I, but plans for Phase II are now moving forward. YEIDA is currently working on projects for two urban centers in Mathura and Aligarh. The Raya Urban Centre in Mathura will feature the Heritage City project, while the Tappal-Bajna Urban Centre in Aligarh is set to become a logistics hub. Additional plans include the New Agra Urban Centre and the Hathras Urban Centre, for which detailed project reports are being developed. These developments are expected to accelerate growth in the four cities. The logistics park in Tappal-Bajna is designed to attract industrial investment, while the Heritage City project will serve as a cultural and tourism center. YEIDA has faced challenges in attracting bidders for development but plans to issue a revised proposal soon. The creation of these urban centers is seen as a key opportunity for economic and tourism activities along the Yamuna Expressway, especially with the Noida International Airport acting as a growth catalyst.