Ghaziabad Development Authority Greenlights Major Infrastructure Projects
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) board, in a significant meeting on Thursday, approved a crucial proposal to acquire land for constructing embankments along the banks of the Hindon River. This decision comes as a direct response to repeated flooding incidents over the past three monsoons, with 2023 marking the most severe damage recorded.
Addressing Flood Vulnerabilities Along the Hindon
The Hindon River, which traverses approximately 58 kilometers through Ghaziabad district from Mataur to NH-9/DME, typically flows as a narrow stream for most of the year. However, recent monsoon seasons have exposed its flood-prone nature, prompting urgent action from authorities.
According to GDA officials, less than 10 kilometers of the river's 58-kilometer stretch in Ghaziabad currently has embankments in place. Existing protective measures include a 5-kilometer section from NH-9 via Kanawani to the Vasundhara barrage, a 1.2-kilometer stretch from Kanawani to Haj House on GT Road, and approximately 3.5 kilometers from Kanawani GT Road to RNE. The remaining areas, particularly those flanked by around 52 hectares of floodplain, remain highly vulnerable to flooding.
The embankment project aims not only to mitigate flood risks but also to create a continuous riverside stretch that could potentially alleviate traffic congestion in the region. Additionally, GDA is exploring the development of a riverfront along the Hindon, with further land acquisition proposed to support this initiative.
Board Meeting Led by Divisional Commissioner
The decision was made during a GDA board meeting chaired by Meerut divisional commissioner and GDA chairperson Bhanu Chandra Goswami. Alongside the embankment proposal, the board approved 25 other agenda items, reflecting a comprehensive approach to urban development.
International Cricket Stadium and Urban Redevelopment
In a parallel development, the board granted in-principle approval for the construction of an international cricket stadium at Morti. This project, to be jointly developed by GDA and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), had previously stalled due to floor area ratio (FAR) norms. It gained renewed momentum following the Uttar Pradesh Building Bylaws, 2025, which raised the permissible FAR for recreational green land use to 2.5.
The stadium is planned on a 31-acre plot in Morti, acquired by UPCA for approximately Rs 70 crore. This facility is expected to boost sports infrastructure in the region significantly.
Further enhancing the area's development, the board approved the creation of a township with an "Aero City" theme near the proposed stadium. Additionally, the redevelopment of the aging Tulsi Niketan housing complex under the Urban Redevelopment Policy 2026 received clearance. Built in the 1990s, Tulsi Niketan comprises 220 LIG flats, over 2,000 EWS flats, and 60 shops, many of which are now structurally unsafe and in need of modernization.
Financial Approvals for Fiscal Years
On the financial front, the board sanctioned an expenditure of Rs 3,287 crore for the 2026–27 financial year, alongside a revenue target of Rs 3,496 crore. For the ongoing fiscal year, GDA had initially set a revenue target of Rs 2,717 crore and an expenditure outlay of Rs 1,977 crore. By January 2026, the authority had generated Rs 2,093 crore in revenue and spent Rs 1,022 crore, indicating progress toward its financial goals.
These approvals underscore GDA's commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs while fostering urban growth and recreational facilities in Ghaziabad.
