After more than 14 years of break, the development authorities of Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in Gautam Budh Nagar have resumed efforts to implement a unified land allocation policy. Originally launched in 2010, this initiative aims to bring consistency to land allocation procedures for industrial, residential, and commercial purposes across the three regions. The renewed policy seeks to align eligibility requirements, lease terms, rent structures, and procedural steps.
Revival of Unified Land Policy
The move to revive discussions on a unified land policy took place at last month’s Greater Noida Authority board meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh. A comprehensive document titled Unification of Policies of Noida, Greater Noida & YEIDA was presented, signaling a new commitment to standardising land allocation regulations. This could greatly benefit businesses and investors by ensuring transparency and predictability in acquiring industrial land.
Background and initial challenges
The need for a unified policy emerged more than a decade ago due to inconsistencies in land allotment practices among the three authorities. Methods shifted from objective criteria to interview-based selections and even e-tendering before reverting to an objective-based system. These irregularities led to nearly ten months of halted industrial land allocations, sparking the call for a streamlined approach.
In 2010, the Greater Noida Authority enlisted Sarc & Associates, a chartered accountancy firm, to create a standardised policy for land allocation. However, logistical issues stalled the project. Efforts to restart the initiative gained momentum when Industries Minister Nand Gopal Gupta raised concerns over the lack of formal approval for the adoption of new objective criteria.
Renewed focus and next steps
In September last year, Chief Secretary Singh urged the renewal of Sarc’s contract, prompting the appointment of nodal officers to oversee the project: Soumya Srivastava for Greater Noida, Sanjay Kumar Khatri for Noida, and Kapil Singh for YEIDA. Sarc agreed to continue its work at the original rate of ₹36.5 lakh plus GST. In December, nodal officers and finance controllers from the three authorities met to evaluate existing policies and draft new standard operating procedures (SOPs).
By February, Sarc was formally commissioned to align the criteria for land allocation, including lease terms and rent structures. The goal is to create a regulatory framework that standardises these aspects across Noida, Greater Noida, and YEIDA. The proposal now awaits approval from the development boards of all three authorities.
Towards a unified approach
If approved, the unified land allocation policy could mark a significant milestone for Gautam Budh Nagar’s development. Streamlined processes and consistent guidelines would not only simplify land allocation but also bolster investor confidence, paving the way for balanced and transparent growth in the region.
