NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the environmental clearance for the greenfield industrial city project initiated by the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
The project, part of the BIDA Master Plan for 2045, will span 253.33 sq km (62,599.20 acres) across 33 villages in the Jhansi tehsil, with an estimated investment of ₹1,51,571 crore.
The project is anticipated to create jobs for over 5.6 lakh individuals, as stated by the authority.
The ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee evaluated the project framework on June 30, 2025, leading to initial approval on July 20, 2025. A public hearing was held in Jhansi on December 22, 2025, followed by further committee reviews on March 5 and April 9-10, 2026, which recommended environmental clearance.
Under the updated master plan, 83.66 sq km (33.02% of the area) is designated for industrial purposes. The authority aims to attract industries in sectors such as agriculture and food processing, textiles, defense equipment, electronics, data centers, and electric vehicles.
Approximately 37.40 sq km is set aside for new residential developments, while 5.40 sq km is reserved for existing rural communities. Green and recreational spaces will occupy 63.13 sq km (24.92% of the project area).
An additional 29.30 sq km is designated for transportation and logistics infrastructure, including roads, rail connectivity, and logistics hubs. The remainder is allocated for commercial, mixed-use, and public institutional purposes.
The project plan features a 50-meter green belt along the boundary and a 150-meter green belt surrounding the Dongri Dam.
BIDA has committed to a zero-liquid-discharge policy. The city’s water supply of 217.22 MLD will be sourced from Rajghat Dam, along with a phased development of a 163.26 MLD sewage treatment plant and a 150.88 MLD common effluent treatment facility. Treated water will be reused, and no wastewater will enter the Betwa, Pahuj, or Angauri rivers.
Currently, BIDA has acquired 25,706 acres for the project, providing compensation to landowners in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act of 2013.
BIDA also aims to integrate existing rural settlements into the industrial city, incorporating amenities such as parks, health centers, educational institutions, and skill development facilities.
Sanjay Kumar Khatri, CEO of BIDA, stated that the authority will adhere to the environmental clearance conditions and develop the project as a smart industrial city in Bundelkhand.
