Greater Noida

The History of Greater Noida: From Village to Modern City

Published

2 weeks ago

February 8, 2025

Greater Noida was a small village long ago. Today, it is a big and planned city. The government made it in 1991. It was built to help Delhi, which had too many people. The city gives space for homes, offices, and factories.

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) manages the city. It makes sure roads, buildings, and services work well. The city has wide roads, parks, and clean water. Many companies and schools are here. People come to work, study, and live.

Greater Noida is growing fast. A new airport will open soon. More businesses will come, and new jobs will be made. The city will become an important place for trade, work, and living.

This guide will explore Greater Noida history, Infrastructure and development. Let’s understand how this city grew and what makes it special!

Early History of Greater Noida

Before Greater Noida became a city, the government had a plan. Delhi was growing too fast, and space was running out. More people needed homes, jobs, and better living conditions.

The government decided to build a new city near Delhi. It would have space for homes, businesses, and industries. This plan would help reduce the crowd in Delhi and create jobs.

The Uttar Pradesh government made a rule in 1976 called the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Area Development Act. This rule helped build Noida and Greater Noida. The goal was to make good cities with roads, homes, shops, and offices. It also made sure people had clean water, electricity, and parks.

By the 1980s, Delhi had too many people. The roads were full, and pollution made life hard. There was no space for homes, offices, and factories. The government needed a new place where people could live and work easily.

The government built Noida first. It was supposed to last for 25 years. But in just 15 years, it became full. There was no more space for homes and jobs. So, the government made a bigger city. They called it Greater Noida, and it had more space, better roads, and better planning.

History of Greater Noida: From Planning to Reality

Greater Noida was established in January 1991. It is a planned city in Uttar Pradesh and part of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The government chose 124 villages to develop a modern urban area. The total area of the city was 380 square kilometers.

Before Greater Noida, two cities were built to manage population growth. Gurgaon was developed in Haryana, and Noida was built in Uttar Pradesh.

Both cities helped, but more space was needed. The government decided to create a better-planned city with modern infrastructure.

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) was formed to manage the city. It planned roads, homes, offices, and industries. The goal was to build a well-structured city with all basic services.

The Greater Noida Master Plan divided the city into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Roads, parks, schools, and hospitals were included for easy living.

Roads are wide with service lanes for smooth travel. All utilities, including electricity and water lines, were placed underground. The sectors are named using Greek letters.

The oldest sectors are Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Newer sectors include Xi, Delta, Mu, Omicron, and Tau. The GNIDA office is located in Knowledge Park-04.

The plan also included a railway station near Boraki and an international airport. These projects were later added to make Greater Noida a self-sufficient city. The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway improved travel between the two cities.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Greater Noida developed fast. Many companies set up industries and offices. The city became a major hub for IT, manufacturing, and education.

Infrastructure and Development of Greater Noida

Greater Noida has grown into a modern city with wide roads, expressways, metro services, and well-planned sectors. The city was designed to provide smooth connectivity, industrial growth, and a high quality of life.

Roads and Expressways

Greater Noida has wide roads and smooth highways. These roads help people travel fast and safely. The government built expressways to connect the city to Noida, Delhi, and other places.

The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway is 24.5 km long. It links Noida and Greater Noida. This road saves time for workers and students. It also helps businesses move goods easily.

The Yamuna Expressway is 165 km long. It connects Greater Noida to Agra. This road makes travel fast and easy. It also helps tourists and traders.

The Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways help reduce traffic in Delhi. These roads allow trucks to move faster. They also improve business and transport.

All main roads have service lanes. These lanes help local traffic move smoothly. Underground cables keep roads clear and safe.

Public Transport and Metro Services

Greater Noida has good public transport for easy travel. People use buses, autos, and metro trains to move around. These services connect the city to Noida and Delhi.

The Aqua Line Metro started in 2019. It connects Noida and Greater Noida. This metro saves time and makes travel simple. The trains are clean, fast, and safe.

More metro lines will be built soon. These new lines will improve travel to Delhi and nearby areas. This will help students, workers, and businesses.

Many buses run in Greater Noida. They connect different sectors, offices, and markets. Buses are affordable and easy to use.

Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws help people reach nearby places. They are available in every part of the city. This makes daily travel simple and quick.

Residential and Commercial Growth

Greater Noida has well-planned residential and business areas. The city offers modern apartments, shopping centers, and office spaces. Many people move here for better homes, jobs, and business opportunities.

The oldest residential sectors are Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. These areas have parks, schools, and hospitals nearby. The newer sectors like Delta, Omicron, Mu, and Pi offer modern apartments with green spaces. Many housing societies in Pari Chowk, Zeta, and Omega provide safe and peaceful living.

Big markets and malls attract shoppers and businesses. Grand Venice Mall, Omaxe Connaught Place, and Gaur City Mall are popular shopping centers. Many companies set up offices in Tech Zone, Knowledge Park, and Ecotech sectors. Business hubs and IT parks create more jobs and opportunities.

Industrial Expansion

Greater Noida has large industrial areas that attract factories, IT companies, and businesses. The city was planned to support industries and create jobs. Many companies have set up factories in different industrial zones.

The Ecotech sectors (Ecotech I to Ecotech XII) are the main industrial zones. These areas have factories for electronics, automobiles, and food processing. Many big companies, like LG, Yamaha, Honda, and Wipro, have plants here.

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tech Zone attracts IT and software companies. Knowledge Park is another area where education and research institutions grow along with industries.

The city also has logistics and warehousing hubs. These hubs in Surajpur and Dadri help move goods across India. The Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors improve transport for industries.

Many new factories and business parks are being built. The Jewar Airport project will also boost trade and bring more industries to Greater Noida. The city continues to grow as an industrial and business hub.

Upcoming Mega Projects and Economic Boosters

Greater Noida is growing fast with big projects that will improve business, transport, and jobs. These projects will attract more industries, boost trade, and make travel easier.

India Expo Mart

India Expo Mart is a large exhibition center in Greater Noida. It hosts international trade fairs, business events, and expos. Many companies use this place to show new products and services.

The venue has big halls, modern facilities, and hotels nearby. Events here bring business visitors from across the world.

Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Investment Region (DNGIR)

DNGIR is a new industrial and business hub. It will provide land for factories, offices, and warehouses. This project will bring more jobs and companies to Greater Noida.

It is part of a plan to boost trade and improve the economy. The location is close to freight corridors, making transport easy for businesses.

Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) Expansion

The metro network is expanding to Greater Noida West. This will help people travel easily from different parts of the city. The new metro line will connect residential areas to Noida and Delhi. It will reduce traffic and save travel time for daily commuters.

Jewar Airport (Noida International Airport)

Jewar Airport is a major international airport project. It is being built to reduce pressure on Delhi Airport. This airport will boost tourism, trade, and industries. It will connect Greater Noida to many cities in India and abroad. The first phase is expected to be ready by 2025.

Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

DMIC is a huge industrial project linking Delhi and Mumbai. Greater Noida is an important part of this corridor. The project will bring new factories, businesses, and trade centers. It will help transport goods faster and create more jobs.

These mega projects will change Greater Noida. They will improve business, transport, and quality of life. The city is becoming a major hub for industries, trade, and travel.

Conclusion

Greater Noida has grown from a small village into a modern, well-planned city. It was developed to reduce overcrowding in nearby cities and boost industries. With wide roads, metro services, industrial hubs, and upcoming mega projects, it has become a major center for business, trade, and education.

The city continues to expand with new infrastructure, industries, and housing projects. The Jewar Airport, metro expansion, and investment hubs will further improve connectivity and economic growth. Greater Noida is on its way to becoming one of India’s top urban and industrial destinations.

Sources and Reference

Greater Noida Today