Ghaziabad’s Harnandipuram township gains momentum as GDA invites objections to land acquisition

Harnandipuram township in Ghaziabad gains momentum as GDA invites objection for land acquisition from eight villages

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government’s ambitious Harnandipuram township has gained momentum as the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), which has been tasked with executing this, has initiated land acquisition for the project.

According to officials, the Authority has identified eight villages to acquire land for the project — Champat Nagar, Bhenda Khurd, Shahpur Nijmorta, Bhovapur, Morta, Mathurapur, Nagla Firoz Mohanpur, and Shamsherpur. The villages are located near Raj Nagar Extension along the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.

Also Read: All you need to know about UP govt’s new township ‘Harnandipuram’ in Ghaziabad

According to government estimates, about 521 hectares is required for the project which will be developed on the lines of the existing Indirapuram township. Officials said that the land will be acquired directly from farmers through purchase agreements. The GDA has also invited objections from the public in this regard.

“Contiguous large land parcels have been identified for the development of the Harnandipuram township. These are proposed to be procured on the basis of direct purchase agreements with farmers. We have issued a public notice and invited objections, if any, in connection with the procurement,” a senior GDA official said.

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He added that farmers have also been informed that they should not sell the land to private players as the land is required in public interest.

The land identified for the township is primarily agricultural and the GDA will get it converted to residential and mixed-use and develop the same.

Earlier this month, GDA officials had convened a meeting with farmers to know their reservations about the land procurement. In the meeting, farmers  had told the officials that they will cooperate with the procurement process provided the Authority safeguards their interests and give them the right price.

Also Read: Rapid rail inauguration may boost property prices along route in Ghaziabad

Ramesh Kansal, a farmer belonging to Mathurapur, said that the circle rates in these  villages range between Rs 500 to 5,000 per square metre (sq m), however, the market rate is about Rs 40,000-50,000 per sq m.

“Since the villages are located near the RRTS corridor, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and the Raj Nagar Extension, the market value of the land is on the higher side here. We want an acceptable rate for selling our land,” Kansal said.

According to GDA officials, since the new township will be developed near Hindon river, which is locally called Harnandi, it has been named Harnandipuram. The new township is also being referred as Naya (or New) Ghaziabad.

The GDA board had approved the project, to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore, in August 2024. Officials said that the UP government will share 50 percent of the cost while the rest of the funds will be raised by  the Authority.