The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has approved its budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, allocating significant funds towards enhancing connectivity to the Noida International Airport and bolstering firefighting infrastructure in the region. The budget, totaling ₹6,048 crore, prioritizes two major connectivity projects: a 15-kilometer road linking Greater Noida to the Ganga Expressway and a six-lane elevated road parallel to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).
Boosting Airport Connectivity
The road to the Ganga Expressway is designed to reduce travel time for commuters from Noida and Greater Noida to the expressway entry point from approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes to a more manageable 30-45 minutes. This crucial link is expected to facilitate smoother transit of goods to the cargo terminal of the Noida International Airport, which is slated to commence commercial operations on June 15, 2026. The six-lane elevated road, running parallel to the WDFC, aims to ensure easy movement of cargo, further enhancing the airport’s role as a logistics hub.
Additionally, GNIDA has allocated ₹1.8 crore for UP Roadways to deploy 15 electric buses for an initial six-month period following the airport’s operational launch. These buses will serve key areas within Greater Noida, including Pari Chowk, Char Murti Chowk, and Surajpur, addressing last-mile connectivity concerns for passengers. The authority has also commissioned a study by IIT Delhi to recommend solutions for traffic congestion at critical intersections like Pari Chowk, Knowledge Park, and Expo Mart.
Enhancing Firefighting Capabilities
In response to growing concerns over fire safety, particularly in the region’s burgeoning high-rise buildings, GNIDA has allocated ₹100 crore for the purchase of two 102-meter hydraulic platforms. These advanced platforms will significantly enhance the firefighting capacity for high-rise structures, capable of reaching heights equivalent to approximately 35 floors. This move comes in the wake of several recent fire incidents that highlighted existing gaps in emergency response capabilities.
The region currently faces a shortage of adequate firefighting equipment. Despite the presence of over 4,000 high-rise buildings in Noida and Greater Noida, the fire department operates with a limited number of fire stations and fire engines. The proposed procurement aims to address the inadequacy of existing hydraulic platforms, the tallest of which can only reach up to 14 floors. Furthermore, the budget includes provisions for strengthening other firefighting resources, with ongoing procurement of taller hydraulic machines, firefighting foam, and other essential equipment to tackle incidents in high-rises and factories.
Noida International Airport Progress
The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar, is nearing its operational launch on June 15, 2026, with IndiGo set to operate the inaugural flight. Developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, the airport has seen substantial investment, with Phase I alone costing approximately ₹11,200 crore. The airport is projected to handle 12 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with a long-term vision to scale up to 70 million passengers. The project aims to ease congestion at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, boost regional connectivity, and stimulate economic growth in the National Capital Region and northern India.
The airport received its aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 6, 2026, and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28, 2026. Its strategic location and planned multi-modal connectivity, including road, rail, and proposed electric bus services, are expected to position it as a significant gateway for passengers and cargo.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s budget for 2024-25 had also earmarked a significant sum of ₹1,150 crore for the Noida International Airport, primarily for land acquisition and establishment. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) further contributed with a budget of ₹10,000 crore for fiscal year 2024-25, including ₹700 crore for the airport’s third phase expansion and ₹300 crore for rapid rail connectivity.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
