Ghaziabad’s integrated vision: Master Plan 2031 ready for approval

New Delhi: In a strategic move to streamline development and eliminate ambiguities, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) officials announced the finalization of individual drafts for the Master Plan 2031 covering Ghaziabad, Loni and Modinagar/Muradnagar Is. These carefully prepared drafts are now set to be integrated into a single Master Plan 2031, an important step towards harmonious urban development.

GDA’s proactive approach aims to replace the existing 2021 plans, and draft Master Plan 2031 is under work for Ghaziabad, Loni and Modinagar/Muradnagar. The GDA board, while giving green signal to the final draft for Modinagar/Muradnagar in September, directed the authority to seek public input on zoning rules for Ghaziabad and Loni. Additionally, the public was invited to share objections regarding the proposal to designate Duhai Depot as a proper station under the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).

GDA Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the importance of integrating the three drafts to eliminate overlaps and simplify the development process in Ghaziabad district. Singh confirmed that the Joint Master Plan 2031 will be presented before the board in its upcoming meeting on Saturday.

A notable aspect of the proposed plan includes Duhai Depot, which could be given the status of a full-fledged RRTS station. The development includes the creation of a transit-oriented development (TOD) area near the depot, which promotes mixed land use and higher floor area ratio to facilitate better construction and development.

The RRTS project in Ghaziabad extends over 17 kilometres, consisting of seven stations. The addition of Duhai Depot as the eighth station, pending approval, is set to further enhance the connectivity and efficiency of the transit system. The impact areas of these stations, along with the delineation of two Special Development Areas (SDAs) at Guldhar and Duhai, are integral components included in the draft Master Plan 2031.

With the anticipated approval of the integrated plan on Saturday, Ghaziabad is set to usher in a new era of contemporary and visionary urban development. The inclusion of the Uttar Pradesh government’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy underlines its commitment to strategically designate mixed land-use areas around RRTS stations, which will further enhance the city’s infrastructure and liveability. As the final approvals approach, Ghaziabad is on the verge of a transformative chapter in its urban development.