Noida: The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the Master Plan 2031 Phase-2 for urban development in Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, and Agra along the 165-km Yamuna Expressway, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) announced on 24 March.
The approval paves the way for the development of new urban centres, aligning with the future growth prospects of the region, particularly around the Noida International Airport, which is expected to be operational by April 2025.
Officials stated that YEIDA will focus on expanding industrial, residential, and commercial infrastructure in these districts, enhancing urbanisation in a structured manner. The authority’s notified area spans 3,352 square kilometres (sq km) across six districts, including Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras and Agra. The urbanisation effort is divided into two phases:
- Phase I: Covers 759 sq km in Gautam Budh Nagar and Bulandshahr
- Phase II: Covers 2,593 sq km in Mathura, Agra, Aligarh, and Hathras
New Cities Planned in Aligarh and Mathura
As part of the Phase-2 Master Plan, the state government has approved the establishment of two new cities in Aligarh and Mathura. In Aligarh, the Heritage City and Multi-Modal Logistics Park projects have already received approval and will be integrated into the development plan.
In Mathura, a new city spanning 11,653.76 hectares will be developed, with a strong focus on tourism promotion.
The proposed city in Mathura will feature several tourist attractions, including:
- A riverfront along the Yamuna
- An expo mart
- An amusement park and theme park
- A scientific park
- A recreational green zone
- A golf course
- A children’s park
Officials specified that 19.02 per cent of the total area—2,216.25 hectares—will be designated for residential purposes, while 1,520.51 hectares have been reserved for tourism-related developments.
Land Acquisition and Preventing Illegal Construction
Authorities confirmed that once the master plan is presented in YEIDA’s upcoming board meeting, the process of land acquisition will begin. The approval of the plan also enables the authority to curb illegal construction within the notified area, ensuring controlled urban expansion.
The Phase-2 Master Plan was initially proposed in 2012-13 but remained stalled for over a decade due to objections. The last major urban centres under Master Plan 2031—Raya Urban Centre (Mathura) and Tappal-Bajna Urban Centre (Aligarh)—were approved in 2017.
The recent approval is seen as a significant step toward planned urban growth, reducing the strain on existing infrastructure in these districts.
With this decision, YEIDA aims to transform the Yamuna Expressway region into a major industrial and residential hub, supporting economic growth and regional development in Uttar Pradesh.
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