The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) announced  its plan to develop a 35-kilometer-long, 100-meter-wide green belt along the Yamuna Expressway, extending from Galgotias University to Noida Airport. The initiative aims to create a recreational space for families and visitors. YEIDA intends to invest Rs 700 crore in the project.

As quoted by Hindustan Times, Arun Vir Singh, YEIDA’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are likely to issue a global tender to finalise an agency that will be engaged in the development task of this unique project. We want to develop ponds, lakes, water bodies, fountains and theme-based parks for the visitors. We want to develop it into a world class green zone so that this area, falling in Yamuna City attains a unique identity. Once this Green belt will be developed the visitors will get a new attraction in the Yamuna City area.”

The CEO also mentioned that, “Currently the people outside the district have an impression that the urban area along Yamuna Expressway beyond Formula One circuit falls in Greater Noida or part of Noida, as it is yet to make an identity. Therefore, we want to develop this green belt in a manner so that it gets an image of its own slowly as the development progresses.”

According to a YEIDA official, Yamuna City currently lacks an internationally famous gateway or significant building to help establish it as the third new emerging city after Noida and Greater Noida in Gautam Budh Nagar. Officials from Yeida have advised people living on nearly 250,000 hectares of land along the Yamuna Expressway, which stretches 165km between Greater Noida and Agra. The company has bought some 20,000 hectares of land thus far, and when Yamuna City is completed up to its full potential in this district, it will buy another 60,000 hectares.

The authority has planned a 100-meter-wide green belt between the 60-meter road linking Yamuna Expressway and the city’s sectors, which are in a developing stage.