Yogi Adityanath Announces ‘Greater Agra’, Says City Will Be UP’s Second Noida

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced an ambitious plan to develop Agra as the state's "second Noida", unveiling the proposed Greater Agra Township, a large-scale urban development project aimed at turning the historic city into a modern economic, cultural and infrastructure hub.

Spread across 449.65 hectares and to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,142 crore, the township is being positioned as one of the most significant urban expansion projects in western Uttar Pradesh.

Greater Agra township to come up on 449 hectares at Rs 5,142 crore cost

Addressing a public event in Rahan Kalan, the Chief Minister said Agra would be developed on the lines of Greater Noida, with the new township designed to be not only smart but also fully secure. The project will be developed by the Agra Development Authority (ADA) under the Uttar Pradesh government's New City Promotion Scheme.

The proposed township will come up in the Raipur and Rahan Kalan areas, covering 449.65 hectares of land. According to the government's plan, the project has already received approval from RERA, clearing a key regulatory hurdle.

CM Yogi said the state government wants Agra to move beyond its image as a tourism-centric city and emerge as a modern urban centre with strong cultural and economic foundations. He said the project would attract major companies and development initiatives, creating fresh employment opportunities for young people in the region.

During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 325 development projects worth Rs 6,777 crore, including the Greater Agra Township.

Agra to get civil terminal by year-end, more infrastructure projects in pipeline

Highlighting the city's expanding infrastructure, Yogi Adityanath said Agra has already received metro connectivity and is expected to get a civil terminal by the end of this year.

He also announced that he would return to Agra for upcoming projects linked to the city's cultural and urban expansion, including the Shivaji memorial, a museum, and the inauguration of the second phase of the Agra Metro.

The Chief Minister said the state government would also work to give Agra's iconic petha greater recognition at the global level. He added that the government would continue to focus on the development of the Fatehpur Sikri region.

He further said that if the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared on time, the proposed rubber dam project in the city could also be implemented. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance approach, Yogi said the mantra of combining development with preservation of heritage continues to guide the state's growth model.

'Mafia were protected earlier, now they have been buried in the ground': CM Yogi

In a strongly political address, the Chief Minister also attacked previous governments and said the current "double-engine government" had ended the era of mafia protection in the state.

He said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, "the final nail was driven into the coffin of terrorism", and added that Naxalism and Maoism are also being eliminated from the country.

Taking aim at former regimes, he said that where mafias once enjoyed political shelter, the present government had "buried them in the ground". He also claimed that cities such as Ayodhya, Mathura and Sambhal have been restored to their earlier cultural glory.

Calling for unity, the Chief Minister urged people to remain united and move forward together in defence of Sanatan values and cultural pride.

CM contrasts global turmoil with India's economic stability

Yogi Adityanath also referred to the global economic situation, saying several parts of the world are facing destruction and severe inflation due to wars and geopolitical instability.

He claimed that in countries such as the United States, petrol prices had risen sharply, while neighbouring Pakistan had been left devastated. In contrast, he said, India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership is moving ahead rapidly on the path of development.

According to the Chief Minister, the central government has managed inflation effectively by reducing product taxes and ensuring price pressures do not spiral. He said India today is increasingly seen as a country capable of providing leadership to the world.

A blend of faith and modern urban planning for over 10,000 families

One of the most distinctive features of the Greater Agra Township is its thematic planning. The sectors in the new township will be named after 10 sacred rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Godavari, giving the project a symbolic blend of spirituality and urban modernity.

Officials said the township will include housing and civic infrastructure for more than 10,000 families. The development plan includes:

• Multi-storey flats
• Group housing
• Residential plots
• Modern road infrastructure
• Sewerage systems
• Green zones
• Other civic amenities

The state government has described the project as a unique fusion of faith and modern urbanisation, aimed at creating a new-generation township that reflects both Uttar Pradesh's cultural roots and its development ambitions.