Noida Extension projects get all clear

The NCR Planning Board finally approved Greater Noida’s Master Plan-2021 , clearing the way for resumption of construction in hundreds of housing projects in the city, including the Noida ‘Extension’ area.
The approval comes as a huge relief to lakhs of home buyers, particularly in projects floated in Noida Extension, and for real estate developers whose investments were locked up in these ventures. Construction had been halted in the area around a year ago, first due to litigation over compensation to farmers and then over approval of the master plan by NCRPB.
Late on Friday, NCRPB communicated its order to UP housing secretary S N Shukla. The letter says that the draft Master Plan for Greater Noida-2021, in compliance with the Allahabad high court order, had been “approved”. NCRPB secretary general Naini Jayaseelan wrote that the plan had been passed “through circulation of members” of the planning board.
Market watchers said the nod will lead to a major boost in economic activity in the region.
In its letter, the board has said the approval is subject to incorporation of certain conditions in the final master plan.
These include provision for regional rapid rail transport line, expressways and a mass transit system, besides maintaining a mandatory green cover and providing housing for economically weaker sections.
2.5 lakh residential units being made by around 25 builders in Noida Extension
2,000 hectares acquired by Greater Noida authority from 11 villages
Authority acquired land from farmers at Rs 880/ sqm and sold it to private developers at Rs 12,000/sqm
In Oct 2011, Allahabad HC ordered farmers’ compensation to be raised by 64%. Also asked the authority to incorporate the NCR planning board’s recommendations in its Master Plan 2021 before allowing any construction
On Friday, NCR board finally approved master plan, paving way for construction to resume .The revised plan has made a provision of keeping 16% of the urbanizable area as a green belt. Development in Greater Noida is better planned than other NCR cities like Gurgaon and Faridabad. The green belt will be conserved by the Authority and it cannot be converted or shifted.

Of NCR expansion....

The Centre will consider inclusion of Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Mathura and Bharatpur in the National Capital Region (NCR) following demands put forth by Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan governments to the NCR Planning Board.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, minister of state for urban development Saugata Roy stated that these demands will be examined by a study group constituted for review and revision of regional plan-2021 for NCR. “The matter will be considered by the Board after the examination by the study group,” the minister replied.
Three MPs had asked the UD ministry whether there are any laid down norms for extension of the NCR. Roy explained that while there is no such norm, the study group on policy zone, demographic profile and settlement pattern constituted by NCRPB had recommended not to extend the region at least upto 2021. The group had reasoned that the existing NCR “has not developed as envisaged and any extension will amount to spreading of scarce financial resources thinly.”
However, after fresh requests came from three constituent states of NCR, the Board has asked them to submit their views and comments. Roy mentioned that the study group had recommended NCR boundary should coincide with the district boundary of Alwar. NCRPB officials said this recommendation was accepted by the Board and entire 7,829 sq km of Alwar was included in the region. Earlier only 4,493 km of Alwar was part of NCR.
States have been lobbying for inclusion of more areas in the NCR since they can get additional funds from the Board for development activities.