LG VK Saxena Greenlights Major Expansion Of Baprola Industrial Area

New Delhi, Aug 10 (KNN) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved the expansion of the Baprola Industrial Area to encompass a total of 54.9 hectares, effectively transforming the entire zone into an industrial park.

This decision, announced by Raj Niwas officials, marks a significant step towards bolstering Delhi's industrial infrastructure and curbing unauthorised industrial activities in non-designated areas.

The approval builds upon an earlier decision made in October of the previous year, which had initially sanctioned the development of 22.3 hectares in the Baprola Industrial Area.

Subsequent assessments revealed additional land parcels originally earmarked for residential, recreational, and circulation purposes, prompting a comprehensive reevaluation of the area's potential.

According to a Raj Niwas official, the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) cited a December 2013 notification from the former Union Ministry of Urban Development, which had already classified the entire 54.9-hectare expanse under industrial use.

This classification led to the area's redesignation as an 'Industrial Park'.

The Lieutenant Governor's approval for re-notification of the land has been granted under the Delhi Industrial Development, Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010.

A key stipulation of this approval is that all activities within the industrial zone must strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Master Plan of Delhi – either the 2021 or 2041 version, whichever is applicable at the time.

Officials noted that while the central government had cleared the land use change in Baprola in 2013, the formal notification faced delays.

The Lieutenant Governor, upon approving the proposal for notification in September last year, expressed concern over the protracted timeline, attributing it to a ‘lackadaisical approach’ by the industries department.

This delay, according to officials, has had adverse effects on the industrial sector and the city's economic growth.

The development of the Baprola industrial area is expected to yield multiple benefits. It aims to facilitate regulated industrial growth, provide space for green and eco-friendly industries within the capital, and potentially stem the outflow of businesses to neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Additionally, officials anticipate that this move will help mitigate the illegal operation of numerous industrial units in commercial and residential areas, which have been associated with accidents and uncontrolled pollution.

This expansion represents a significant stride in Delhi's industrial development strategy, potentially creating numerous employment opportunities and fostering a more organised and environmentally conscious industrial landscape in the national capital.

(KNN Bureau)