New Agra will be developed on agricultural land of 60 villages in Etmadpur taluka.
The Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has planned to build a new city called ‘New Agra’ on both sides of the 165 km Yamuna Expressway connecting Greater Noida to Agra. It will be established as a heritage city under the jurisdiction of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). Spread over 10,500 hectares, New Agra will be developed on agricultural land of 60 villages in Etmadpur taluk and will be divided into four main sectors: industry, environment, heritage and transport, according to YEIDA officials. The project aims to balance modern urban development with preservation of Agra’s historical heritage.
The authority has also prepared a blueprint for New Agra, which will be about half the size of Noida in Uttar Pradesh. YEIDA collaborated with a consultant to develop a draft master plan, which included a study of the region’s socio-economic and infrastructure.
Talking about the project, YEIDA CEO Arun Veer Singh said, “Following the survey, it was determined that at least 80% of the surveyed villages are in Hathras district, due to which YEIDA changed the plan to include more villages in Agra district. Project name and vision. The authority will now conduct on-site land verification to analyze connectivity, encroachment and other issues before submitting its proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government for inclusion in the Master Plan 2041,” a report quoted.
The New Agra project aims to make Agra a leading tourist attraction, focusing on the city’s global appeal as the home of the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Officials said that strict emission control procedures will be imposed, especially in the Taj Trapezium zone, to ensure the safety of the Taj Mahal. Theme parks and entertainment zones will be established in public spaces.
Additionally, traffic and transportation issues in the region will also be addressed, with plans to build new lanes, parking spaces and public transit systems to relieve congestion on existing highways.
The UP government has also planned to develop a logistics park in Aligarh’s Tappal-Bajna area and a heritage city in Mathura’s Rai area.