Master plan changes sought to rev up Global City project

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has sought some revisions in the Gurugram-Manesar Urban Complex Plan 2031 to fast-track the Global City project. Of the three revisions, two are to facilitate the development of the much-delayed project, while the third one is for changing the land use of 161 acres in Manesar. In the first two proposed revisions, GMDA has sought re-designation of the Global City project area as a special zone with 300% floor area ratio, along with permission for mixed land use in sectors such as 36, 37B and 38B, which were earlier earmarked as industrial ones. Additionally, the authority has proposed that 147 acres of land designated for the metro depot between NH-8 and Northern Peripheral Road (NPR) be exchanged with another parcel of land earlier earmarked as open space in the development plan. “The area allocated for the metro depot is marked as open space in the final development plan and the zoning conditions for open space do not allow a depot. Hence, we have interchanged this land with another land parcel of the same size,” Dinesh Singh Chauhan, chief town planner, GMDA, told media. “As per the proposed revision in the development plan, the transport and communication zone will now be at the place of open space and vice-versa,” he added. The Global City project, which was first envisaged as a special economic zone (SEZ), has been delayed for over a decade. The land for the project was acquired first in 2003-2004 but multiple roadblocks have delayed the project ever since. Sources said with the plan now taking shape, the project might be closer to realty. The government has recently appointed Nikhil Gajraj as the CEO designate for the project. When contacted, Gajraj said, “We have prepared a draft design plan, however the revisions in the master plan have been proposed by GMDA and it would be the best agency to comment on the same.” As per the notice issued by GMDA for the proposed changes, the state government has in principle approved the same. GMDA is currently in the process of inviting suggestions and feedback on the revisions in Gurugram Manesar Urban Complex Plan 2031. Officials also said no additional land would be required for the project other than that already allotted by Haryana State Industry and Infrastructure Corporation. Adequate arrangement for augmenting water supply provisions, power transmission, sewage treatment and solid waste management will be made by the agency in charge. In its public notice, GMDA has also sought another revision which changes the land use of 161 acres of land along Sector M3 in Manesar from agricultural to residential. “This land was originally to be used for residential purposes but due to some inadvertent error, it was marked as agriculture land. This has to be corrected,” said Chauhan.