Lucknow-Kanpur hub could rival Noida-Greater Noida

LIDA board approves draft master plan 2031

The industrial hubs of Noida-Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh would soon have competition in the form of an integrated industrial township proposed on the busy Lucknow-Kanpur highway.

The township would be the flagship component of the Lucknow Industrial Development Authority (LIDA), which was formed to develop industrial enclaves in congruous land parcels of Lucknow, Kanpur and Unnao districts.

LIDA Board meeting, chaired by UP Infrastructure & Industrial Development Principal Secretary Surya Pratap Singh, on Thursday approval the Draft Master Plan 2031. He is also the LIDA chairman and chief executive officer.

This has paved way for long-term development of organised industrial growth in Lucknow-Kanpur corridor. The plan spans 30,000 hectares of notified area in 84 villages.

The proposed township would comprise 20 per cent industrial, 26 per cent residential, 20 per cent recreational, 16 per cent transportation, 12 per cent for public/semi-public amenities, 4 per cent mixed and 2 per cent commercial purposes area.

The Master Plan details development in three zones on NH 25 viz. Multi-functional Zone towards Lucknow, Tourism and Conversation Zone near Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary and Industrial Zone towards Unnao and Kanpur.

“There is tremendous potential of developing Lucknow-Kanpur industrial corridor on the lines of Noida and Greater Noida, as robust transport infrastructure is already present in the area. But, we have to hasten the process of development in view of rapidly growing urbanisation and aspirations of people of the state capital,” Singh said.

He directed LIDA officials to complete the formalities for finalisation of Master Plan.

“Timelines should be fixed and public objections invited without delay. Details of present encroachments should also be compiled,” he said.

Lucknow-Kanpur industrial corridor has been proposed as a ‘counter magnet’ of National Capital Region (NCR). “Hence NCR Planning Board would be a good source of funds for development projects under LIDA,” Singh said.