Uttar Pradesh Plans Massive ‘New Agra’ Township Near Yamuna Expressway to Boost Housing and Jobs
Agra is getting a massive modern makeover. Looking to replicate the urban success of Noida and Greater Noida, authorities in Uttar Pradesh are planning a brand-new township called the New Agra Urban Centre. Positioned right where the Yamuna Expressway ends, this upcoming city aims to declutter the historic home of the Taj Mahal while creating a major hub for jobs, housing, and tourism.
The project is a core part of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority’s (YEIDA) Master Plan 2041. Spanning over 14,000 hectares across 44 villages, New Agra will be roughly half the size of Noida.
Homes, Green Jobs, and Tourism
The master plan envisions a highly organized city divided into three distinct zones, built to house around 1.4 million people. Housing affordability is a clear focus, with some entry-level homes expected to start around Rs 14 lakh.
Because the site sits within the protected Taj Trapezium Zone, environmental safety is a top priority. Heavy, polluting industries are barred from setting up shop. Instead, the industrial zones will focus entirely on green and soft sectors like information technology and textiles.
Beyond tech jobs, New Agra is positioning itself as a major entertainment destination. Plans include a massive theme park, budget and luxury hotels, and dedicated commercial zones. Between the industrial setups and tourism, officials expect the new city to generate nearly one million jobs.
Seamless Connectivity
Location and transit are central to the city’s blueprint. New Agra will sit about 120 kilometers from the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. To bridge the distance, a Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System corridor has been proposed to connect the airport directly to Agra, drastically cutting down travel times.
For trade and commerce, a multimodal cargo terminal will link the city to the freight corridor near Tundla Junction by rail, easing logistics across Northern India.
The ‘Greater Agra’ Initiative
New Agra isn’t the only mega-project on the horizon. Simultaneously, the Agra Development Authority (ADA) is working on “Greater Agra,” a 449-hectare cluster of 10 smaller, smart townships inside Agra city limits.
Located near the Inner Ring Road, Greater Agra offers quick access to both the Yamuna and Lucknow Expressways, making commutes to Delhi or Lucknow straightforward.
This particular project is moving quickly. Online bookings for residential plots in its Gangapuram and Narmadapuram sectors open on June 29 and run through July 29 via the Janhit Portal, aiming to provide housing for nearly 30,000 families.
Greater Agra will feature the city’s first completely underground utility cabling, 24/7 power and water backups, and wide roads. It is also slated to host a world-class sports academy, a cricket stadium, international schools, and a super-specialty hospital, with a quarter of the land reserved strictly for parks and green belts.
