Ghaziabad: UP govt gave in-principle approval to four projects that are to be developed under the Urban Challenge Fund, a market-linked central govt scheme for developing urban infrastructure, by Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). The projects that will be executed under the corpus include redevelopment of Tulsi Niketan (Rs 600 crore), a two-kilometre flyover from Choudhary Mod (Rs 200 crore), an international cricket stadium (Rs 680 crore) and multi-level parking in Raj Nagar District Centre (Rs 100 crore).On Monday, GDA vice-chairperson Nand Kishore Kalal gave a presentation of how the civic body aims to redevelop the four projects to a committee headed by UP chief secretary SP Goyal. His approval greenlit the disbursal of the funds from the state and central govts.“We are hoping to get the money within four months and work will begin soon after that,” said Kalal.Under the scheme, central assistance will cover 25% of costs, while the rest will be raised through municipal bonds, bank loans and PPP.The revamp of Tulsi Niketan was also approved under UP Urban Redevelopment Policy 2026, which aims to renovate buildings that are more than 25 years old.Tulsi Niketan, which was built in the 1990s, has 220 LIG flats, 2,004 EWS flats and 60 shops. Lack of maintenance over the years has led to the gradual deterioration of the structure, and it is now one of the most unsafe buildings in the city.Choudhary Mod intersection, located in the market area between GT Road and Ambedkar Road, sees heavy traffic every day. Chaudhary Cinema and a temple — two popular destinations at the intersection — have only compounded the issue.“In the past, various plans were discussed to decongest the stretch but to no avail. Either due to lack of funds or logistics issues, they never got off. The proposed 2-km flyover should provide some relief,” said a GDA official.Raj Nagar District Centre, a commercial hub that attracts 15,000 visitors on weekends, has long witnessed unruly parking around it because the parking areas cannot accommodate that many cars. “Multiple multi-level parkings are required for the smooth running of RDC. One such parking will be built by funds from UCF,” the official said.The cricket stadium, being jointly developed by Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association and GDA in Morti, is likely to seat 55,000 spectators. The stadium will be integrated with upcoming Harnandipuram and Aero City townships.Now, GDA has proposed a Rs 185 crore embankment to secure the site from the Hindon river when the water level increases and a 7-km road project to improve connectivity.
