Noida Authority Enhances Industrial and Township Development with Increased FAR

                The Noida Authority has proposed 
amendments to the building by-laws, aiming to 
increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for various 
plot categories, including institutional, 
industrial, 
mixed land-use, and integrated township 
projects, officials said on Sunday.
The changes, part of the Noida Master Plan-
2031, are expected to boost revenue and 
accommodate the growing urban population 
by allowing for vertical growth across the city.
If approved, the amendments will enable plot 
owners and realtors to build more floors, 
creating additional built-up space to meet 
urban development demands.
“The proposed changes in building by-laws, 
which were initiated long back, will increase 
population density and impact aspects such as 
traffic and infrastructure. The final decision will 
depend on public support,” said Lokesh M, CEO 
of the Noida Authority.
The authority is seeking objections and 
suggestions from the public regarding the 
amendments, with feedback open for the next 
15 days. Lokesh M said that if most people 
oppose the 
changes, the decision will be reconsidered.
“We will share citizens’ feedback with the state 
government, which will make the final call,” he 
added.
The floor area ratio (FAR) means the 
proportion obtained by dividing the total 
covered area (plinth area) on all floors by the 
area of the plot.
The FAR of a plot dictates how many floors an 
owner can add (vertical expansion) and how 
much of the plot area can be covered with 
construction (horizontal expansion). The 
amendments propose significant changes, 
including increasing the FAR for plots 
designated for residential, industrial, and 
commercial use.
For industrial plots of 25 acres or more, mixed-
use will be permitted, with industrial activity 
remaining the core function at a minimum of 
75% of the permissible FAR.
The amendments also allow for 12% of the 
permissible FAR for dormitory (group housing) 
and field hostels, 8% for commercial use, and 
5% for facility purposes—changes that were 
previously prohibited.
Earlier housing facilities and commercial 
services were not allowed, said officials. In 
new industrial sectors along the Noida-Greater 
Noida Expressway, including sectors 145, 156, 
157, 158, 159, 162, and 166, the FAR will 
increase from 2.5 to 3.5, officials said.
In existing industrial sectors, the amendments 
propose an additional purchasable FAR of 1, 
increasing the total allowable FAR to 2.5, 
compared to the previous 1.5 FAR, they added.
The increase in FAR allows plot owners to add 
more floors and set up additional industrial 
units, unlike previous regulations which limited 
a single plot to one industrial unit.
For instance, under the new by-laws, a plot of 
1,800 square meters (sqm) or more, located on 
a road at least 24 meters wide, could have a 
FAR of up to 3.5, enabling the construction 
of six floors covering 3,500 square feet. The 
Master Plan 2031 allocates 2,806 hectares for 
industrial development, though only 1,500 
hectares have been developed so far.
Noida’s current land use includes 18.37% for 
industrial areas, 37.45 hectares for residential, 
and 15.92 hectares for recreational (green) 
spaces, with the remainder designated for 
commercial, institutional, water bodies, and 
agricultural activities.
Stakeholders expect these changes to 
significantly alter Noida’s skyline, particularly 
along the Noida Expressway. “The proposed 
changes enabling industrial units to go vertical 
will 
positively impact future business growth and 
fuel the economy,” said Vipin Malhan, president 
of the Noida Entrepreneur Association (NEA).
However, some experts have raised concerns 
about the impact on infrastructure.
“The proposed changes in building By-laws 
2010 to increase FAR means increase in 
population density, a move that will over 
burden infrastructure including roads, sewer 
networks 
and the drainage system, among others. If we 
do not make adequate provisions to 
accommodate the vehicular pressure, chaotic 
situations will be seen on Noida roads as road 
design 
has not been changed. Also, an increase in FAR 
will require more housing facilities for 
industrial workers that we have not done. 
Without adequate provisions, traffic and other 
urban 
issues could worsen. The authority must 
address these challenges before implementing 
changes,” said Atul Gupta, president of 
Architects’ Association of Noida Zone.
According to officials, earlier housing facilities 
and commercial services were not allowed in 
accordance to the previous Master Plans. The 
authority had in May, 2020 proposed to 
amend the building by-laws-2010 following the 
directions from the Uttar Pradesh chief 
minister Yogi Adityanath government that 
wanted to bring changes to create more space 
in the 
city to cater to the growing urban demands.

Source : Hindustan Time