NCR Suburbs still under developed
Greater Noida and Noida, two of the NCR regions, which are located in the Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state, have been witnessing rapid development since inception. However, the neighboring cities of Meerut, Bulandshahr and Hapur, though a part of NCR, have been very slow to keep in pace with the urbanization happening to their cousin cities.
Lop-sided development
Development has been lop-sided and is mainly concentrated in the regions of Greater Noida and Noida, a part of Gautham Buddh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh sub-region. The remaining sub-region comprises other four districts, namely Meerut, Ghaziabad, Baghpat and Bulandarshahr. While the real estate sector is booming in Gautham Buddh Nagar due to its rapid development, the other districts are lagging behind, with very less scope for the same. The feasibility and kind of return from the investment is evaluated before investing on a project in an area. Development plays an important role in channelizing cash flow steadily; hence the same is crucially analyzed.
Reasons for low paced development
This imbalanced development is hugely attributed to the improper management of the state governments and the NCRPB. Rama Raman, Chairman, Noida and Greater Noida authorities said that NCRPB needs to proactive for the development of other regions. He suggested that the planning board intervention will help in speeding up the development work in other areas of NCR. So far, cities like Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon are facing population burden. More and more people are after these regions because of development. He also expressed his view that we are facing challenges to cater basic amenities because of high population density burden.
Poor connectivity to other major cities and under-developed infrastructure are some of the main reasons why builders and developers avoid areas of NCR like Bulandshahr, Meerut, Baghpat, and concentrate on developing projects and investing in areas like Noida and Ghaziabad. These areas assure them a promising future. Poor infrastructure adds to the misery caused by poor connectivity. Baghpat, which is just 40 km from Delhi, can be accessed only via Loni, and takes about four hours owing to the disastrous condition of the roads that are flooded with sewer water.
Talking about the situation in Meerut, Yashpal Singh, Chief Town Planner, Meerut Development Authority said that it is one of the best destinations, to live. The place has a pleasant climate. However, it is the poor connectivity, which pushes Meerut behind. He also said that areas like Noida and Greater Noida have dearth of land and people are agree to live on high-rises because they want basic amenities and good connectivity with Delhi. Mr. SK Singh, Vice Chairman of Meerut Development Authority, expressed hope that Delhi-Meerut expressway and rapid rail transit system would bring a considerable change the picture of Meerut. He said that NCRPB is the nodal agency of rapid rail project while centre and state government along with other agencies will generate fund for the project. He also informed that Delhi-Meerut Expressway is the responsibility of NHAI, and that it is under process, with land acquisition being carried out for the same.
