Latest news with #RegionalRapidTransitSystem
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- 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.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
RRTS boosts land prices in Meerut, Ghaziabad; 30% to 67% growth witnessed since October 2023
Land prices and housing demand have increased along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut stretch of the Namo Bharat corridor, with data from developers and consultants showing a 30% to 67% rise in property value since it began operations in October 2023. The Namo Bharat corridor, built at a cost of ₹30,274 crore, connects Delhi to Meerut through Ghaziabad. It is the first of several Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) lines planned across the National Capital Region (NCR). The 82-km line is currently operational over a 55-km section. 'When the Namo Bharat project was conceptualised, one of the aims was to enable polycentric development in the NCR… We are also harnessing the potential of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in the region to foster vibrant, liveable communities,' Shalabh Goel, managing director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), said. The city that seems to have benefited the most is Meerut, where land rates have reportedly increased from ₹8,000-12,000 per square yard to ₹12,000-20,000. Properties within two kilometres of Namo Bharat stations have seen a 30% to 50% increase in value in the last two years, according to market estimates. Industry representatives say the rise in demand is being driven by improved access to Delhi and changes in commuter behaviour. The Meerut Development Authority has earmarked 3,273 hectares for TOD in its 2031 master plan. Of this, 2,442 hectares have already been delineated into TOD zones and special development areas. These areas will be served by both the RRTS and the local Meerut Metro. Developers said there has been growing interest in plotted housing, gated societies, and mid-rise apartments in parts of Meerut and Ghaziabad. 'Property prices in areas along the RRTS route have appreciated by 35-40%, reflecting a structural shift driven by infrastructure-led demand… Meerut is fast positioning itself as a credible alternative to legacy NCR markets,' Pritam Mishra, senior vice president at Paras Buildtech, said. 'This is not a cyclical upswing but a deep, infrastructure-driven revaluation of the market,' he added. Real estate firms said that residential development is being accompanied by commercial activity, with integrated townships, healthcare facilities and educational centres being planned within walking distance of transit nodes. According to Santosh Agarwal, executive director of Alpha Corp, a consultancy, 'The combination of affordable land, world-class infrastructure, and increasing demand for premium, sustainable developments is positioning Ghaziabad and Meerut as prime locations for commercial enterprises, tech startups, and skilled professionals.' Samir Jasuja, Founder and CEO of PropEquity, which conducts research in the field, said, 'The Delhi-Meerut RRTS will be a game-changer in the way people live and commute in Delhi-NCR. Its impact on the property prices in Ghaziabad is evident with the launch price of homes more than doubling in the last five years. In fact, branded developers have either forayed into or are scouting for land along or in the vicinity of this corridor. Bengaluru-based Prestige Group recently launched its project in Ghaziabad. At a time when the housing market across top markets is coming down from its peak, new launches and sales in Ghaziabad have lifted the Delhi-NCR housing market in Q2 2025.' Devansh Mittal is a trainee correspondent with The Indian Express. He studied political science at Ashoka University. He can be reached at ... Read More
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Ward-level accountability is key...": MoHUA Additional Secy D Thara
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): As India braces for an influx of 70 million new urban residents over the next two decades, government officials and industry leaders are calling for a strategic pivot in the country's urban development narrative--from rebuilding to revitalisation. 'Infrastructure must be delivered--if the private sector can do it better, let them,' said D Thara, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said. She was delivering the keynote address at a CII conference on Exploring Urban Dynamics: Outlook 2030' held in the capital on Friday. There is a disconnect between India's economic ambitions and the capacities of its urban local bodies, Thara said, urging the private sector to be proactively engaged in the urban development of the country. This becomes even more important as urban India is set to see an estimated 70 million new urban residents in the next two decades by 2045. This poses challenges and opportunities as the country will see the creation of many more cities, calling for a pragmatic, revitalisation-first approach to urban development. She underlined the need for targeted interventions to upgrade existing cities, backed by significant investment. The proposed Urban Challenge Fund, she explained, is intended to catalyse this transformation with a mix of 25 per cent public sector seed funding, 50 per cent market capital, and 25 per cent state contribution. 'It's not about building afresh,' she said, 'it's about fixing what already exists--legacy infrastructure, greenfield areas, and urban governance systems.' Prasad Gadkari, Executive Director & Chief Strategy Officer at NIIF, echoed the importance of enabling frameworks to unlock capital. 'A robust pipeline of projects, predictable revenue streams, and standardised bidding processes are essential,' he said, noting NIIF's readiness to back urban infrastructure initiatives through scalable public-private partnerships. Abedalrazq Khalil, Practice Manager for Urban and Land at the World Bank, placed India's urbanisation in global perspective. 'By 2050, 800 million people are expected to live in Indian cities. Cities must be enablers of growth--but many are not yet ready.' He emphasised the need for integrated planning and livability as critical to attracting private investment. Transport integration also featured prominently, with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) cited as a model for enabling distributed urban employment. In-situ slum redevelopment and smaller-scale, private-led urban initiatives were also discussed as vital components of revitalisation. The conversation repeatedly returned to the need for local capacity. 'Ward-level accountability is key,' said Thara, pointing to the need for institutional support to empower smaller municipalities to tap funds such as those managed by NIIF. Regulatory enablers, including those supporting Transit-Oriented Development and flexible work models, were also cited as tools for urban regeneration. Sriram Khattar, Co-Chair, CII National Committee on Real Estate and Housing, noted that urban PPPs, once uncertain, have now gained credibility. Dr Debolina Kundu, Director of NIUA, added that effective urban governance, capacity building, and low-carbon infrastructure would be essential pillars of India's urban strategy to 2050. (ANI)
Hans India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India's urban headcount likely to surge by 70 million in next 20 years
New Delhi: India Inc. must take up infrastructure building in cities in partnership with municipal corporations as the country is expected to add 70 million new urban residents in the next two decades by 2045, a senior official said on Friday. Addressing a CII conference here, D Thara, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said that there is a disconnect between India's economic ambitions and the capacities of its urban local bodies, so the private sector needs to be proactively engaged in the urban development of the country. 'India is a rich nation with poor municipalities,' she remarked. She was delivering the keynote address at a CII conference on 'Exploring Urban Dynamics: Outlook 2030'. She said the growing urban population poses challenges and opportunities as the country will see the creation of many more cities, calling for a pragmatic, revitalisation-first approach to urban development. She underlined the need for targeted interventions to upgrade existing cities, backed by significant investment. The proposed Urban Challenge Fund, she explained, is intended to catalyse this transformation with a mix of 25 per cent public sector seed funding, 50 per cent market capital, and 25 per cent state contribution. 'It's not about building afresh,' she said, 'It's about fixing what already exists - legacy infrastructure, greenfield areas, and urban governance systems.' Prasad Gadkari, executive director & chief strategy officer at NIIF, echoed the importance of enabling frameworks to unlock capital. 'A robust pipeline of projects, predictable revenue streams, and standardised bidding processes are essential,' he said, noting NIIF's readiness to back urban infrastructure initiatives through scalable public-private partnerships. Abedalrazq Khalil, Practice Manager for Urban and Land at the World Bank, placed India's urbanisation in a global perspective. 'By 2050, 800 million people are expected to live in Indian cities. Cities must be enablers of growth, but many are not yet ready,' he said. He further emphasised the need for integrated planning and livability as critical to attracting private investment. Transport integration also featured prominently, with the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) cited as a model for enabling distributed urban employment. In-situ slum redevelopment and smaller-scale, private-led urban initiatives were also discussed as vital components of revitalisation.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Namo Bharat corridor in Meerut to unlock real estate potential with transit-led Growth
Meerut leads India in implementing Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zones, integrating them into its 2031 Master Plan. This initiative combines urban development with transit projects, creating potential real estate prospects in the area. The Meerut Development Authority (MEDA) has allocated 3,273 hectares for TOD, with 2,442 hectares divided into seven TOD zones and two special development area (SDA) zones along the Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro routes. "While the majority of the land is privately held and we will earn revenue through FSI, we are also planning a 300-hectare township where we will auction land to private developers," Vijay Kumar Singh, town planner at MEDA told ET. "We are doing the zonal planning in consultation with NCRTC ." The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is constructing India's inaugural Namo Bharat corridor connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. This represents India's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train service. "By harnessing the potential of transit-oriented development and value capture financing, NCRTC is enhancing the financial sustainability of the Namo Bharat project," said Shalabh Goel, managing director, NCRTC said according to the report. "This integrated approach is poised to redefine the future of transportation infrastructure, fostering vibrant, liveable communities and generating economic value that benefits both the region and its residents." The SDA zones comprise 458 hectares in Meerut South and 373 hectares in Modipuram, situated at opposite ends of the Meerut metro section. Uttar Pradesh established its TOD policy in 2022. International cities including Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo have effectively utilised TOD to support public transport and improve urban planning, resulting in enhanced economic productivity and living standards. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor spans 82 km, with 68 km in Ghaziabad and Meerut districts. The infrastructure will additionally support local metro services in Meerut. The 2017 National Metro Rail Policy emphasised viewing urban mass transit projects as transformation initiatives rather than mere transport projects. It required states to explore various revenue options for long-term financial viability. The housing and urban development ministry introduced value capture financing policy, enabling states and union territories to utilise their assets, including unused land, for infrastructure development. According to UP's TOD policy, areas within 500 metres of city mass transit systems and 1.5 kilometres alongside intercity transit systems like Namo Bharat constitute TOD zones. These zones permit taller, mixed-use developments including residential, commercial, and office spaces with public facilities. The base floor area ratio will increase from 2.5 to 4 in developed areas and 5 in undeveloped areas. Ghaziabad has identified its TOD zones and included them in its master plan, awaiting state government approval for implementation.
