Substation in way, size of Harnandipuram township to shrink 20 hectares

Ghaziabad: The proposed Harnandipuram township will now be developed on 521 hectares, instead of the proposed 541 hectares, to skirt around a power substation and canopy areas of eight high-tension power lines.

GDA secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said during a recent survey, the Authority found a power substation, spread over 10,000 sqm, at Nangla Ferozepur — one of the eight villages from where land is proposed to be acquired for the project.

"Eight high-tension powerlines also pass through the villages earmarked for the township. Canopies of each of these powerlines, about 100 sqm each, must be left intact. Together, the existing power infrastructure accounts for about 20 hectares," Singh said.

Though land size will be reduced, the official clarified that the proposed township will not be affected as the substation will also cater to the power needs of the township.

GDA will now acquire 521 hectares from eight villages under the Land Acquisition Act 2013.

Earlier, GDA has proposed to acquire the highest of 247.8 hectares of land from Nangla Ferozepur and another 124 hectares from Shamsher. The six other villages from which land will be acquired are Shahpur Morta (54.2 ha), Bhowapur ( 53.3 ha), Champat Nagar (39.2 ha), Bhanera Khurd (11.8 hectares), Mathurapur (8.7 ha), and Morti (2.6 ha).

An estimated Rs 10,000 crore will be needed to develop Harnandipuram. Of this, 50% of the cost will be borne by the state govt under the CM Urban Expansion New City Promotion Scheme, with the remaining amount covered by the GDA.

Additionally, a large chunk will go into acquiring land at mutually agreed rates from the farmers.