Laying foundation for a green Noida

Noida is set to have more green cover and recreational areas in the years to come. Darpan Singh reports.

Noida is set to have more green cover and recreational areas in the years to come.

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The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) has prepared a draft of Master Plan-2031 which proposes to increase the green area by 2 to 3 per cent (200 to 300 hectares more) against the existing 2021 plan.

The Noida Authority, which held its 169th board meeting on Tuesday, has constituted an expert committee to go about ushering in the future course of infrastructure development.

New standards for the purpose are being fine-tuned. Against the population estimation of 5 lakh in Noida's first Master Plan in 2001, the proposed figure, which stood at 12 lakh in the last plan, has now gone up to 25 lakh.

Citing Tuesday's decisions, Board chairperson Mohinder Singh said private players would be roped in for the green campaign.

"But we will allow institutions and not individuals. The PPP model would be followed — the authority will deposit security money and private players will be allowed standard-size spaces for their publicity."

Singh, who is also Noida Authority CEO, said the idea was to have more and more parks in the city.

"Amity Chowk has undergone a transformation. The model will be replicated in other areas too."

The infrastructure development process in Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway has also been unified.

"We're looking at making the process simple, modern and development-oriented. Ours has become the first development authority to provide 1 per cent free FAR (floor area ratio) to those constructing green buildings," said Singh.

On Commonwealth games

"All preparation is almost complete. There was some communication gap with the games organising committee. We'll meet the deadline," Singh said.

The main market area of Noida, Sector 18, will be completely modernised "on the lines of some of the best cities of the world with top-class provisions such as skywalks and no-vehicle zones".