The push to give Kanpur a planned, modern face has finally picked up pace. The Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) has begun fast-tracking its much awaited Greater Kanpur project. A consultant has already been selected for the ambitious plan, and the framework for buying land is now being put in place. KDA officials claim that within the next year, major projects such as a Medi City, a Knowledge City and an EV Park will start taking shape on the ground.
According to KDA Chief Town Planner Manoj Kumar, Greater Kanpur is being designed as a modern city of the future. The new township will come up in selected villages lying between Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat. Seven villages have been identified for it, namely Bhairampur, Garhi, Itra, Kaindha, Rampur Bhimsen, Sona and Rampur Khas.
Not Just a Colony, but a Full City
The plan will not be limited to building a residential colony. Officials say employment, education, healthcare and industry will all be woven together to create a complete modern city. Just as Greater Noida gave a new direction to the growth of Delhi-NCR, Greater Kanpur too could emerge as a key development hub for the state in the years ahead.
Recently, the KDA Vice Chairman, the Chief Town Planner and other officials toured the selected villages. During the visit, they assessed the current state of the land, its connectivity and its development potential. Based on this survey, it is being decided which project will work best in which area.
Land in Four Villages in the First Phase
Manoj Kumar said the process of buying land in three to four villages for the first phase will begin within the next two to three months. Once acquisition and purchase are complete, development work will gather speed. Under the Greater Kanpur plan, construction will be carried out across a total of 5,000 acres. The area will get modern roads, parks, commercial zones, institutions and other basic facilities. This will also help ease the mounting urban pressure on Kanpur.
10,000 to 12,000 Plots, Rs 16,000 Crore Outlay
As per the plan, Greater Kanpur will offer 10,000 to 12,000 residential and commercial plots for the public. These plots will range in size from 112 square metres to 300 square metres, so that people across different income groups can build a home or set up a business here. The entire project will cost around Rs 16,000 crore.
The scheme is part of the KDA master plan and is being counted among the biggest development projects for Kanpur's future. Officials believe that once Greater Kanpur is built, not only Kanpur but people from neighbouring districts too will benefit from better housing, jobs, education and healthcare. In the coming years, this region could earn a place among the most modern urban centres in the state.
