GDA finalises consultant for Harnandipuram township DPR, starts land purchase
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has finalised and awarded work for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the authority's proposed Harnandipuram township to be developed near Delhi-Meerut road to a private consultant. The DPR for phase 1 is expected to be completed within two months, officials said on Tuesday. The Harnandipuram township will come up behind Raj Nagar Extension, and GDA also plans to connect it with a 2km elevated road which will further connect to existing 10.3km Hindon elevated road. (Sakib Ali/HT Photos)
'The GDA has selected a private agency and has also issued a work order for preparation of the DPR for phase 1. The GDA has also started direct purchase of land from farmers for phase 1 of the township,' said GDA's media coordinator Rudresh Shukla, adding that the GDA floated a request for proposal for hiring a consultant for the work of DPR in April.
'The consultant has assured us that the DPR for phase 1 will be completed within two months. The new township will have features like easy accessibility to nearby modes of transport like the Metro and the Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS), smart street-lighting, power management, including the use of solar energy, and will also focus on women's safety,' said Shukla.
In a move to incentivise cooperation, GDA had on March 29 announced that farmers would be compensated at four times the circle rate for land in the five villages earmarked for the first phase.
The township is planned across approximately 521 hectares, with phase 1 involving the purchase of around 336.84 hectares from five villages — Mathurapur, Shamsher, Champat Nagar, Bhaneda Khurd, and Nagla Firozpur Mohan. In total, land will be procured from eight villages in successive phases.
According to officials, the township's proximity to Delhi-Meerut Road and the RRTS corridor is expected to enhance its connectivity and appeal.
To be sure, in order to boost the prospects of its proposed Harnandipuram township, the GDA is planning a new elevated road to facilitate smooth and signal-free movement of commuters to Delhi.
The authority already has a four-lane 10.3km Hindon elevated road that starts from the Karhera rotary near Raj Nagar Extension and goes signal-free up to UP-Gate which is UP's border with East Delhi near Ghazipur.
The travel time on the Hindon elevated road is about 10-12 minutes.
The GDA officials said that they wish to give residents of Harnandipuram a direct connectivity to Delhi. The scheme will come up behind the Raj Nagar Extension.
The new elevated road will take commuters from Harnandipuram to the Karhera Rotary, from where they can take the 10.3km Hindon elevated road to reach the East Delhi border.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
HP cabinet approves emergency centre in panchayats, interest subsidy for solar projects
Himachal Pradesh government to set up Emergency Response Centre in all panchayats in the state. This decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presides over a cabinet meeting in Shimla on Saturday. (HT Photo) The Cabinet gave its consent for Panchayat Emergency Response Centre in each of the 3,645 panchayats of the state to ensure effective response in the event of natural disasters to save the human lives and properties. The decision comes after the state witnessed flashfloods and cloudburst on Wednesday with the onset of monsoon in the state. Apart from this the Cabinet in order to encourage self-employment and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, approved the provision of interest subsidies for the establishment of solar power projects. Under this initiative, a 5% interest subsidy will be provided for solar projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas, while a 4% subsidy will be extended for projects with capacities between 250 KW and 2 MW in non-tribal regions. The Cabinet also approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HIMURJA and selected Gram Panchayats for the installation of 500 KW solar power plants in 100 panchayats under the Green Panchayat Scheme. Each project is expected to generate revenue of approximately ₹ 25 lakh per month. 30% of the earnings will go to HIMURJA, 20% to the state government, and 40% to the respective gram panchayats. An additional 10% share will be allocated to gram panchayats specifically for the welfare of orphans and widows. Cabinet also approved the reclassification of pay matrix Level-11 posts from Group-B to Group-C. With this decision, only bonafide Himachali candidates will be eligible to apply for these reclassified Group-C posts. Earlier, these Level-11 posts were categorised under Group-B, and the recruitment was conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, which allowed applicants from across the country. Post-reclassification, the recruitment process will be handled by the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog, in accordance with the procedures applicable to Group-C positions. Other decisions Honorarium of multi task workers of the Public Works Department from ₹ 5,000 to ₹ 5,500 per month approved, benefitting around 5,000 workers. Milk Incentive Scheme to be introduced for farmers supplying milk to eligible non-government dairy cooperative societies, under which a subsidy of ₹ 3 per litre will be provided to milk producers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Shifting of the office of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation from Shimla to Dharamsala approved. This move aligns with the declaration of Kangra as the Tourism Capital of the state and aims to help decongest Shimla city. To create and fill up 101 posts of various categories in the Police Lines of District Police Dehra.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India-US trade talks need political push for final leg
The fine print of a preliminary trade deal between India and the US has mostly been worked out by negotiators from both sides but the ball is now in the court of the political leadership to break a stalemate, people aware of the parleys told HT, disclosing two of the topmost sticking points that remain. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. (AFP File) According to these people, these issues are: an unequivocal assurance that New Delhi seeks from Washington that all punitive levies will be repealed, and a freer access to India's politically sensitive agriculture sector that the American side has sought. 'The two-day deliberation that started in Washington on Thursday will likely stretch over to next week,' one of these people, who has direct knowledge of the talks, told HT. Both sides are in a sprint to announce a breakthrough, which will be a preliminary deal covering some portion of the trade between two nations, with a larger bilateral trade deal expected to be signed by October. Once the deal is done, India wants America to withdraw all existing and potential retaliatory tariffs, including the 26% reciprocal tariff — this comprises a 10% baseline tariff imposed from April 5 and an additional 16% country-specific levy set to trigger from July 9. India also wants the US to revoke all safeguard duties disputed at the World Trade Organisation—50% on Indian steel and aluminium and 25% on automobiles and auto parts—and to reciprocate New Delhi's move by proportionately slashing its most favoured nation tariffs. 'Washington has not yet given any unequivocal commitment on these matters, which are crucial for Indian interests,' another person said. American negotiators have been suggesting India replicate the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal model, where Britain accepted continued 10% baseline tariffs on most goods while securing relief from additional sectoral tariffs. However, Indian negotiators have rejected this approach. The other sticking point is the US insistence on India opening its agriculture and farming sector. While the American side is open to tariff rate quotas (TRQ) — a mechanism under which concessional duty or duty-free access of any specified item applies to a limited quantity — their insistence on some sensitive sectors is a challenge. 'The problem lies in wanting India to also open its sensitive sectors. Dairy imports are restricted for two reasons. First, India's dairy farming is at a subsistence level with one or two cows or buffaloes. The livelihoods of millions of farmers are at stake as they could not compete with America's commercial-scale dairy farms. Secondly, the US cattle feed includes non-vegetarian products, something against religious sentiments of Indian consumers,' a third person said. Similarly, India is unable to accept the US demand to allow unrestricted access to American agricultural items such as corn and soybean because Indian law does not permit genetically modified crops. 'America is unwilling to accept an institutional mechanism which would certify that its India-bound agriculture produce are not genetically modified, saying there is a practical problem in segregating GM and non-GM products,' this person said. This person added that solving such issues now require a political directive from the highest levels of the government. 'While majority of issues have been resolved with near consensus, including on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on most of the items of interest for both countries, certain sensitive matters require political directives from the two leaders. An interim India-US trade deal, mainly involving goods, is possible to conclude before July 9, depending on political resolution of the stalemate,' the second person said. The Indian negotiating team could extend its stay in Washington next week and the two parties would discuss contentious issues, depending on any political directive, according to the first person. The Indian negotiating team led by chief negotiator and special secretary-commerce Rajesh Agrawal was still in Washington on Saturday, indicating that talks may extend into next week. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. Global Trade Research Initiative founder Ajay Srivastava outlined a likely scenario: 'The more likely outcome is a limited trade pact—styled after the US-UK mini trade deal announced on May 8. Under such a deal, India is expected to cut MFN tariffs on a wide range of industrial goods, including automobiles, a persistent demand from Washington. In agriculture, India may offer limited market access through tariff reductions and TRQs on select US products such as ethanol, almonds, walnuts, apples, raisins, avocados, olive oil, spirits, and wine.' 'However, India is unlikely to budge on sensitive sectors. No tariff cuts are expected for dairy products or key food grains like rice and wheat, where farm livelihoods are at stake. These categories are politically and economically sensitive, affecting over 700 million people in India's rural economy,' he added. Srivastava warned that 'the talks may collapse' if the US continues to insist on opening India's core agriculture sectors or allowing entry of GM products. The prudent move for Washington would be to respect Indian sensitivities and forge a deal for stronger strategic cooperation in future, he said, noting that 'agricultural goods account for less than 5% of US exports to India.' Another expert working in a multinational consulting firm said: 'Now it is the time for America to act as India has already given several concessions, making its intent clear for stronger and everlasting economic cooperation with the US.' After a week where tariffs took a back seat to the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and the massive tax and spending bill in the US Congress, the Trump administration's trade negotiations have picked up. News agency Reuters reported Washington had sent a new proposal to the EU on Thursday and held talks with Japan on Friday. Both India and Japan are in advanced negotiations.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Work begins on ‘Greater Ghaziabad' plan; Khoda, Loni, Muradnagar likely to merge
The Ghaziabad district administration has begun preparing a roadmap for the proposed 'Greater Ghaziabad' project, under which local bodies such as Khoda, Loni, and Muradnagar may be merged into the Ghaziabad municipal corporation. The move comes following directions from Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who floated the idea during a visit to the district on Thursday, officials said. According to officials, the Ghaziabad Development Authority has already included Ghaziabad, Loni, Muradnagar, and Modinagar in its integrated draft Master Plan 2031. (HT Archive) The chief minister was in Ghaziabad to inaugurate a data centre at Central Electronics Limited and to visit Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan in Indirapuram. Addressing an event, he emphasised integrated development and proposed the formation of a larger municipal entity named Greater Ghaziabad. The proposal will require both legislative approval and a cabinet nod, with the final decision resting with the state government. 'On directions of the chief minister, we have asked the officials of the district administration and the corporation to chalk out a plan, which will then be submitted to the state government,' said Deepak Meena, district magistrate of Ghaziabad. 'The final decision will be taken at the state government level and will also involve the state cabinet.' The Ghaziabad district currently comprises nine local bodies—one municipal corporation, four Nagar Palikas (Khoda, Loni, Modinagar, and Muradnagar), and four Nagar Panchayats (Patla, Dasna, Faridnagar, and Niwari). In 2023, ahead of the inauguration of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) priority section in Ghaziabad, BJP MLAs Sunil Sharma (Sahibabad) and Nandkishor Gurjar (Loni) had raised concerns about civic issues in Khoda and Loni to the chief minister. While BJP leaders support the proposed merger, some political opponents have criticised it as a reaction to electoral losses. Former MLA Amarpal Sharma, whose wife Mohini Sharma currently chairs the Khoda Nagar Palika, said, 'After the BJP lost the Khoda chairperson seat in 2023, its politicians floated the concept of merger. The corporation itself struggles to manage its jurisdiction areas, and managing Khoda and Loni would be a tough task. People in Khoda are yet to get tapped water supply and face many other civic issues like bad roads, sewerage disposal, proper drainage, etc., after repeated promises for years.' In the May 2023 civic polls, the BJP won the Ghaziabad mayoral seat but lost the chairperson elections in Loni, Khoda, and Muradnagar Nagar Palikas. The party managed to retain only the Modinagar chairperson seat. Nandkishor Gurjar, BJP MLA from Loni, dismissed allegations of political motivation. 'The local bodies proposed by the CM for merger under the corporation suffer many issues like water-logging, bad roads, drinking water shortages, sewerage problems, among others,' he said. 'Since these areas will see massive housing development in the future, it is vital that these areas also get developed like Ghaziabad city. Further, they will also be able to receive big funds for development. So, it is vital that they become part of Greater Ghaziabad.' Meanwhile, Ranjita Dhama, the chairperson of Loni Nagar Palika, did not respond to requests for comment. According to officials, the Ghaziabad Development Authority has already included Ghaziabad, Loni, Muradnagar, and Modinagar in its integrated draft Master Plan 2031.
