NOIDA: The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is set to hire a consultant to create a detailed project report (DPR) for the Hathras Urban Centre, marking the final urban centre in its Phase-II Master Plan 2031.
Officials state that the DPR will act as a foundation for the city’s transformation. It will guide land acquisition, developer selection, and project execution, facilitating the organized development of Hathras into a modern industrial and residential hub.
The recent move follows the state government’s approval in March for the second phase of the master plan, empowering YEIDA to oversee significant industrial, residential, and commercial developments across four urban centres: Mathura, Aligarh, Agra, and Hathras.
YEIDA’s designated area for Hathras encompasses 358 villages across Sadar, Sadabad, and Sasni tehsils. Hathras is connected to Agra via NH 93 and linked to the Yamuna Expressway via SH 33. Additionally, Hathras Junction connects two major railway lines.
Officials note that an analysis of Hathras reveals both opportunities and challenges. Benefits include excellent connectivity to Aligarh and Agra, accessibility to railway lines at Hathras Junction, and proximity to regional growth hubs. However, weaknesses such as lack of last-mile connectivity, insufficient power supply, and inadequate water, sewerage, and drainage systems exist, alongside limited secondary healthcare and recreational facilities.
The DPR is expected to tackle these issues by planning infrastructure enhancements, including internal roads, reliable electricity, water supply, sewerage, and urban amenities. Currently, YEIDA has developed DPRs and begun land acquisition for urban nodes in Mathura (Raya Urban Centre) and Aligarh (Tappal-Bajna Urban Centre), with a consultant already engaged for the New Agra Urban Centre, and the Hathras DPR will soon follow.
The Hathras Urban Centre aims to become a key hub for large-scale manufacturing, agro-processing, and logistics. By leveraging the district’s agricultural economy and existing industrial framework, the project seeks to foster MSME growth, enhance industrial development, and promote export-oriented production. At the same time, it will provide modern housing, social infrastructure, and civic amenities, creating a self-sufficient urban-industrial ecosystem. This initiative is projected to attract investment, generate jobs, and revitalize the local economy.
Potential industries in the Hathras Urban Centre include agro and food processing, beverages, dairy, carpet manufacturing, ready-made garments, fabricated metal products, machine tools, electrical appliances, and small vehicle production. Proposed interventions may also introduce specialized machinery for medical and surgical applications, along with power-generating equipment.
Based on a YEIDA report, Hathras can be developed as a satellite town for Agra, taking advantage of its close proximity to larger urban markets and tourist attractions. The new urban centre will align with ongoing development along the Yamuna Expressway corridor, including the Noida International Airport, which is expected to be a significant catalyst for regional growth.
Officials emphasize that the district has a robust industrial presence, primarily made up of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cottage industries, with around 10,293 registered units. Most of these operate in clusters, facilitating employment while requiring relatively low investments, showcasing the region’s industrial potential despite infrastructural challenges.
Key industrial clusters consist of agro and food processing, featuring 35 dal mills, 32 asafoetida units, 16 pickle manufacturers, and 140 cold storage facilities. The hosiery and ready-made garment sector has roughly 1,600 units, while glass bead production involves about 3,300 units. Significant production of ghungarus (anklets) includes 3,124 operational units.
The chemicals sector encompasses 35–40 units producing Holi colors and dyes, along with 30 Ayurvedic medicine producers. Handicrafts are a notable contributor to the local economy, with 850 units, supplemented by 85 metal crafting operations. Medium-scale carpet manufacturing features three entities, while other industrial activities include a bottling plant, a dairy facility, and BPCL’s LPG bottling plant.
