YEIDA CEO Unveils New Agra Master Plan at Stakeholders Meeting; 12,200-Hectare City to House 14.6 Lakh, Generate 8.5 Lakh Jobs

Master Plan Presentation and Scale

At the June 24, 2025 stakeholders meeting, YEIDA CEO Arunvir Singh presented the master plan for New Agra Urban Centre, spanning approximately 12,000 hectares. He explained that 25 percent of the area is reserved for industrial development focused on non-polluting industries and tourism-related businesses.

In light of Agra's environmental sensitivity as part of the Taj Trapezium Zone, the plan prioritizes green and pollution-free development, with only white and green category industries allowed.

Planned Amenities and Attractions

The development will include theme parks, large hotels, convention centres, sports complexes, industrial zones, and residential colonies. Theme parks, hotels, resorts, museums, digital entertainment zones, and cultural centres will be developed near the Yamuna River.

The city will feature a theme park, entertainment areas and hotels ranging from budget to seven-star category to draw tourists.

Land-Use Breakdown

Following extensive surveys and public consultations, 2,501 hectares (27.7% of total area) are designated for residential use with ample green spaces and walking lanes to ensure low pollution and high livability. Only non-polluting industries such as IT, ITES, manufacturing and agriculture-based units will be allowed, allocated 1,813 hectares or 20.11% of the total area.

Mixed-use development zones span 447 hectares combining residential, commercial, and entertainment facilities. The master plan earmarks 823 hectares as a buffer zone along the Yamuna and 485 hectares as green spaces; forest and agricultural lands will be preserved over 434 hectares. A total of 330 hectares is reserved for educational and healthcare infrastructure.

Planning Framework

Following the phases of development in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura, the New Agra city will draw inspiration from Chandigarh. Roads and green belts will be integrated, along with dedicated pedestrian pathways. The YEIDA regional office in Mathura will oversee the project's execution.

Next Steps and Implementation

The master plan will be presented for approval in YEIDA's upcoming board meeting in April and the project will commence post-approval. A private consulting firm has been commissioned to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR); once completed, the next steps will involve zonal planning and land acquisition.

YEIDA officials have stated that the land acquisition process will be expedited by allowing farmers to sell their land voluntarily through the registry process, bypassing the lengthy process outlined in the Land Acquisition Act of 2013.