YEIDA Completes Master Plan for New Agra Urban Centre Spanning 12,200 Hectares and 58 Villages

Master Plan Completion and Approval Status

YEIDA completed the master plan for New Agra Urban Centre, which is set to be developed across 12,200 hectares in 58 villages of Agra district. The master plan was presented for approval in YEIDA's board meeting in April, with the project to commence post-approval. As of July 2026, the project remains in the approval and pre-execution phase.

Scale and Capacity

The new city is designed to accommodate a population of 14.6 lakh and aims to generate employment for 8.5 lakh people by promoting tourism, industry and commercial development. It will be one of the largest urban projects in western Uttar Pradesh.

Environmental Constraints and Industry Classification

In light of Agra's environmental sensitivity being part of the Taj Trapezium Zone, the New Agra plan prioritises green and pollution-free development, with only white and green category industries allowed. Only non-polluting industries—such as IT, ITES, manufacturing and agriculture-based units will be allowed. Green and white-category industries include electronics, solar, optical, and EV manufacturing, sectors like electronics manufacturing industry, solar equipment units, optical and lens industries, EV and hydrogen-based production, and other non-polluting industries.

Land Use Breakdown

The plan designates 2,501 hectares (27.7 per cent of the total area) for residential use, with ample green spaces and walking lanes to ensure low pollution and high livability. Industrial use is allocated 1,813 hectares or 20.11 per cent of the total area. Mixed-use development zones spanning 447 hectares will combine residential, commercial, and entertainment facilities, while a separate business zone spanning 340 hectares will include retail hubs, office spaces, and commercial centres.

Given Agra's historic importance, 640 hectares are reserved for tourism and entertainment, with attractions such as theme parks, hotels, resorts, museums, digital entertainment zones, and cultural centres to be developed near the Yamuna River.

Environmental Protection and Green Infrastructure

The master plan earmarks 823 hectares as a buffer zone along the Yamuna and 485 hectares as green spaces, acting as the city's ecological lungs. Forest and agricultural lands will be preserved over 434 hectares. A total of 330 hectares is reserved for educational and healthcare infrastructure.

Urban Design and Connectivity

Following the phases of development in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura, the New Agra city will draw inspiration from Chandigarh, with roads and green belts integrated along with dedicated pedestrian pathways. Every sector is supposed to have the same area of 800 meters × 1200 meters, thus ensuring a consistent and well-organized urban landscape.

The city's transport infrastructure will be bolstered by the Namo Bharat rapid train service, which will connect Noida International Airport to New Agra, with a 131 km-long rail line planned to run along the Yamuna Expressway.

Project Administration and Next Steps

The YEIDA regional office in Mathura will oversee the project's execution. A private consulting firm has been commissioned to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will outline the specifics of the city's infrastructure and development, and once the DPR is 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.