scan: Contractor: Noida's destiny (says Deo ex Dutta)

NOIDA’s date with destiny
Coming up City Centre, Bachchan Akademi, Spc Economic Zone, food courts...
Sreelatha Menon

Noida, December 28: Noida officials are promising to change the face of 
this satellite township of Delhi within three years. They say it will be 
both an entertainment and cultural hub, and by the time Commonwealth 
Games are held, it will be humming with activity.

The latest project to be approved is a Noida City Centre, next to the 
DND flyway. Architect Hafeez Contractor has been roped in for the 
project. It will be visible from Delhi and will house the Noida 
authority’s office, says CEO Deo Dutta. Also on the cards is a Noida 
Habitat Centre, to come up again near the DND flyway on 30 acres of 
land. Architect Mohit Gujral’s presentation has been approved.

An ambitious Harivanshrai Bachchan Akademi of Arts has also been cleared 
in principle. It will have a 3,000-capacity auditorium with translation 
facilities, a water body with artificial ghats — named after the ghats 
of the Ganga — several studios, exhibition galleries, a mini theatre, 
movie halls and an amphitheatre.

There will also be food courts with food from every district of UP, 
prepared using local recipes, says Dutta.

Recreation will also get a fillip with a night safari being set up in 
Greater Noida, on the lines of Singapore, and an amusement park coming 
up in Sector 38. Besides, a handicraft mart is planned on the expressway.

The NOIDA authority has also set up a transport cell which will begin 
work soon on traffic management and infrastructure. Significantly, Dutta 
says CNG would be coming to Noida soon.

Meanwhile, a 2500-acre Special Economic Zone is ready to take off on the 
expressway. The Chief Minister and Amar Singh, who heads the UP 
Development Council, got the consent of the Prime Minister and Union 
Minister Kamal Nath. The Centre has asked the state to give a detailed 
project report after which a developer will be identified to see the 
project through. ‘‘It will be on BOT basis and will finance itself,’’ 
says Dutta.