Tourism Plan
YEIDA Announces Plan to Develop Raya as Heritage City to Boost Religious Tourism
The Raya town in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura will be developed as a Heritage City by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). The Heritage City project will include beautification of the Yamuna riverfront on the lines of the Gomti riverfront project, with the rest of the land developed for industrial, commercial, residential and mixed land use purposes.
| Development Authority | Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) |
|---|---|
| Location | Raya town, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, along Yamuna Expressway |
| Announcement Date | 17 February 2021 |
| Primary Purpose | Boost religious tourism to Mathura and Vrindavan region |
| Key Infrastructure Feature | Yamuna riverfront beautification on lines of Gomti riverfront project |
| Consultant Engaged | CBRE South Asia for Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation |
| DPR Timeline | Expected completion by May 2021, three-month engagement period from announcement |
| Secondary Land Uses | Industrial, commercial, residential, and mixed-use zones beyond riverfront |
Decision and Announcement
The Raya town in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura was announced to be developed as a Heritage City by YEIDA. According to reports, YEIDA Chief Executive Officer Arun Vir Singh stated that "CBRE has started work on Heritage City DPR," adding that consultants would submit their report within three months, after which YEIDA would take further action in consultation with the UP government.
Project Vision and Scope
The Heritage City project will include beautification of the Yamuna riverfront on the lines of the Gomti riverfront project, with the remaining land developed for industrial, commercial, residential and mixed land use purposes. The initiative was part of broader state plans to enhance Mathura's status as a religious destination.
Concurrent Government Initiatives
The Heritage City announcement came alongside other UP government projects. The Uttar Pradesh government is also renovating public gardens in Mathura to enhance the pilgrim experience and city infrastructure.
Next Steps
The detailed project report (DPR) of the Heritage City was expected to be ready by May 2021, with CBRE South Asia selected as the consultant for its preparation. Once approved by the YEIDA board, the proposal was to move to government for further processing and project initiation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is YEIDA developing a Heritage City at Raya?
The project aims to boost religious tourism to the Mathura-Vrindavan region, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually, by creating organized hospitality and cultural infrastructure.
What does 'riverfront beautification on the lines of Gomti riverfront project' mean?
It refers to developing the Yamuna riverfront along the Raya site with landscaping, pedestrian facilities, and recreational spaces similar to the Gomti riverfront development model in Lucknow.
Who is CBRE and why were they chosen?
CBRE South Asia is an international real estate and planning consultancy firm that was selected to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) defining the Heritage City's design, scope, and infrastructure specifications.
What land uses are planned beyond the riverfront?
Industrial, commercial, residential, and mixed-use zones will be developed alongside the heritage riverfront to create a diversified urban center.
How does this relate to the Jawahar Bagh renovation mentioned in reports?
Both were part of a coordinated UP government strategy in early 2021 to enhance Mathura's infrastructure and religious tourism appeal through garden and public space improvements.
Sources
- UP's Raya Town To Be Developed Into A Heritage City To Promote Tourism (Curly Tales, 17 February 2021)
- 753 Acre Heritage City Project along Yamuna Expressway: Budget, Opening Date & Latest News (99acres, April 2024)
- Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority – Heritage City (Official YEIDA Website)
- UP Govt. Clears YEIDA Master Plan-2031: Raya Heritage City Set for Major Transformation (The Realty Today, October 2024)
- YEIDA to Develop Residential and Commercial Clusters in ₹7,200-Crore Heritage City Project at Raya (The Realty Today, October 2025)