UP: What will be most distinctive feature of Greater Agra? How its townships will help in cultural revival
Agra—Uttar Pradesh’s renowned ‘City of the Taj’—is now poised to script a new chapter in modern urban development, complementing its historical grandeur. Through the ‘Greater Agra’ project, a model is being crafted that represents a confluence of cultural revival and state-of-the-art infrastructure—a model destined to emerge as a major hub for regional development in the near future.
Under the Chief Minister’s Urban Expansion/New City Promotion Scheme, the Agra Development Authority is developing this ambitious project across an area of approximately 450 hectares in the villages of Raipur and Rahankalan.
Estimated to cost approximately Rs 5,142 crore, this initiative is regarded as a pivotal step toward establishing Agra as a planned, modern, and multi-faceted city.
According to Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, the most distinctive feature of ‘Greater Agra’ is its cultural ethos. The ten townships being developed here—Sindhupuram, Gomtipuram, Gangapuram, Yamunapuram, Betwapuram, Mahanadipuram, Narmadapuram, Godavaripuram, Krishnapuram, and Kaveripuram—will be named after the country’s sacred rivers. This initiative will not only pay homage to India’s cultural heritage but also endow the city with a unique identity.
Under this project, modern residential facilities will be developed to accommodate approximately 1.5 lakh people. The total of 4,712 plots will comprise categories for residential use, group housing, commercial establishments, and mixed-use developments.
Additionally, all essential amenities—such as schools, hospitals, community centers, hotels, banks, post offices, police outposts, and fire stations—will be made available.
To ensure the development of ‘Greater Agra’ as a smart and sustainable city, a modern road network, sewage and water treatment plants, electrical sub-stations, and solid waste management systems will be established.
The project's location is another key highlight. It is situated in close proximity to the 100-meter-wide Inner Ring Road and enjoys connectivity with National Highway-19, Fatehabad Road, and the Yamuna Expressway. The proximity of Kuberpur Railway Station makes the location even more convenient for commuting and commerce.
In every township, at least 15 percent of the area has been reserved as green space. Special emphasis has been placed on ensuring ecological balance and a superior quality of life through the provision of parks, open spaces, and sports facilities.
Under this scheme, Yamunapuram will be developed as a commercial hub, while Kaveripuram will be transformed into a center for water-based activities and recreation. This initiative will give a new impetus to tourism activities and bolster Agra's economy.