Noida: The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has approved an annual budget of Rs 11,829 crore for the 2026-27 financial year, with a focus on land acquisition and infrastructure development around the upcoming Noida International Airport.A significant portion of the outlay, about Rs 8,000 crore, has been earmarked for acquiring land for a proposed industrial and urban ecosystem near the airport. Another Rs 2,011 crore will go towards development and construction in Yamuna City, while Rs 502 crore has been set aside for the airport and Rs 300 crore for multi-modal connectivity projects.The decisions were taken at YEIDA’s 89th board meeting on Friday, chaired by Alok Kumar. The board also approved a 3.6% increase in allotment rates across categories, effective April 1. Residential plot rates, for instance, will rise from Rs 35,000 to Rs 36,260 per square metre, while commercial plots will increase from Rs 70,000 per sqm to Rs 72,510 per sqm.Group housing plot rates have gone up from Rs 52,500 to Rs 54,380 per sqm and residential township plot from Rs 39,258 to Rs 40,670 per sqm.Officials said the heavy allocation for land acquisition is aimed at securing parcels for planned development as investor interest grows ahead of the airport’s launch. The Authority requires land not only for industrial units but also for large-scale projects such as data centres, an education hub, manufacturing clusters and proposed townships.Authority’s additional CEO Shailendra Bhatia said the budget would support a range of activities, including urban development, village infrastructure and other administrative needs. Alongside land acquisition and construction, funds have also been allocated for loan repayments and other liabilities.Around Rs 705 crore has been earmarked for paying off loans, Rs 7.6 crore will be spent for payment against various expenditures, and Rs 3.5 crore for refunds to consumers who want money back.The Authority is accelerating preparations as the airport, slated for inauguration on March 28, is expected to become a major economic driver for the region. Officials believe improved connectivity and cargo operations will attract both domestic and global investors, transforming the Yamuna Expressway belt into a key growth corridor.In other decisions, the board constituted a committee to finalise rates for Transport Nagar and mixed-use plots. It also cleared a proposal to set up a traffic park-cum-training centre for issuing driving licences. The facility will be developed by Honda India Foundation under its CSR initiative, with land to be provided by the authority free of cost.The board also approved minor changes to the master plan of the proposed Heritage City near Raya in Mathura, which will now be sent to the state government for further clearances.
