More commercial hubs, akin to Raj Nagar District Centre, planned in Ghaziabad

The hubs will act as a one-stop facility with restaurants, retail chains, showrooms, malls, banks and ATM kiosks.

The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) is now planning to develop commercial hubs akin to Noida. Authority’s vice-chairperson has directed officials to identify land for the purpose and to develop such hubs for the convenience of residents.

The RDC is a commercial centre in the heart of the Ghaziabad city, spread over nearly 20 acres. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

During a recent meeting with different departments of the authority, vice-chairperson Kanchan Verma floated the suggestion to develop commercial hubs. The hubs will act as a one-stop facility with restaurants, retail chains, showrooms, malls, banks and ATM kiosks.

“The idea is to give residents a common place where he/she can go for eating out, entertainment, shopping and even banking activities. The land is being identified for the purpose. The development will take place on the lines of the already existing Raj Nagar District Centre (RDC), which is frequented by thousands of residents on a daily basis,” Verma said.

The RDC is a commercial centre in the heart of the Ghaziabad city, spread over nearly 20 acres. It houses food chains, prominent restaurants, showrooms, banks, retail outlets and other facilities.

“We intend to develop such commercial hubs under the Madhuban Bapudham Housing scheme where an estimated two lakh people are expected to live. The other location could be Raj Nagar Extension, which is developing and residents have started arriving,” Verma said.

The authority said once the land is identified, it will carve out plots, which can be sold for commercial activities. With this, the authority would also be able to generate revenue.

“The entire concept of commercial hubs will be on same lines of the RDC, in fact, even better than that. There will be old-styled lighting, walkways, kiosks, parking space and landscaping. Such hubs are abundant in Noida. We also intend to develop these for Ghaziabad residents. People can go out with families and enjoy outings there,” said an official of the town planning department.