The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to develop a new city near the historic city of Agra along the Yamuna Expressway, to be known as “New Agra”. It will be developed as a tourism and commercial urban centre under Agra district.
The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has been entrusted with the task of developing “New Agra” on around 10,500 hectares of land along Yamuna Expressway, that connects Greater Noida with heritage city of Agra.
The Authority has already prepared a blueprint of the project and is likely to begin physical survey of the land and other geographical factors soon before sending a final plan to the state government for final approval.
According to officials, Noida International Airport is scheduled to open in April 2025 and is likely to trigger an increase in tourist footfall to Agra so ‘New Agra’ will not only cater to the needs in future but also capitalise on growing tourism demand.
Real estate experts say that ‘New Agra’ will significantly reshape the real estate landscape in the region and the property prices would further go up. Experts add that industries that will be established around the new city could further stimulate demand for commercial real estate, including office spaces, retail, and hospitality.
Here is all you need to know about New Agra:
The Proposal
According to YEIDA officials, the vision of the project is to capitalise on the growing tourism and commercial sector demand in the region.
“Agra is world famous for the Taj Mahal and lakhs of tourists come every year to visit the Taj. The project aims to leverage Agra’s global appeal with attractions inspired by historical sites. The New Agra project is intended to become a major destination for tourism, cashing in on Agra’s global appeal as home to the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri,” a senior YEIDA official told Moneycontrol.
Also Read: All you need to know about proposed American style city near Noida Airport
The Yamuna Expressway Authority has prepared a draft master plan with the help of a consultant that conducted a socio-economic survey and also mapped structural framework in the region.
The YEIDA will now conduct an on-site land verification to assess factors such as encroachments and connectivity options among others and submit a final proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government for approval and its inclusion in the Master Plan 2041, the official said.
According to the proposal, New Agra will be developed on the lines of other historical cities across the globe and offer visitors a glimpse into global and Indian history. The ‘New Agra Urban Center’ will be planned as a vibrant, green, and modern city.
The ‘New Agra’ project has four major segments —industrial & commercial, environment, heritage, and transport. The project aims to balance modern urban development with the preservation of Agra’s historical legacy.
Focus on environmental sustainability
YEIDA officials said that special emphasis will be placed on developing pollution free zones, predominantly in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), so that the beauty and integrity of the Taj Mahal is protected.
“Only green industrial units such as information technology (IT), soft toys and textiles will be permitted in the industrial zone. New Agra will also have theme parks, ample recreational spaces and large green belts to promote environmental sustainability,” a YEIDA official said.
The project plan will have strict regulations on emissions to prevent any damage to the Taj.
He added that the commercial segment of the New Agra Urban Centre will also include start rated hotels, food and beverages hubs.
New routes, parking facilities, and public transport systems will be created to alleviate pressure on existing highways and solve traffic and transport issues in the region.
Where will the land come from?
'New Agra' will come up along Yamuna Expressway and will be located roughly 190 km from Noida and around 140 km from the upcoming Noida Airport in Jewar. The land for New Agra will be procured from 60 villages.
These villages, where the land has been identified for the new city, fall in Etmadpur tehsil of the city of Agra. The New Agra Urban Centre will spread on 10,500 hectares. The project will help urbanise agricultural land into a new hub of tourism, heritage and industrial clusters.
Boost to real estate
Sunil Sisodiya, Founder, Geetanjali Homestate, a real estate consultancy firm, said that spanning an area nearly half the size of Noida, ‘New Agra’ is expected to become a major hub for both residential and commercial development.
The proposed city will see enhanced connectivity, including a robust road network, proximity to the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, and the extension of the Yamuna Expressway. This infrastructure development is poised to attract significant investments from both national and international developers, particularly in the residential sector, which will see a surge in demand for affordable and mid-income housing projects.
Also Read: Yamuna Expressway Authority launches scheme for residential plots near Noida airport
“The real estate market in this area will likely witness a boom, as buyers and investors increasingly turn to emerging cities like 'New Agra' due to the affordability and growth prospects compared to traditional hubs like Agra and Noida. The region can expect to see substantial growth in property values over the next 5-10 years,” Sisodiya told Moneycontrol.
He added that similar developments in the past, like Noida and Greater Noida, have proven the success of such urban expansion projects, with increased job creation, better quality of life, and a thriving real estate market.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
