Land prices in the tehsil area of Hapur have surged dramatically following the construction of the Ganga Expressway and plans to develop the pilgrimage town of Brajghat as a mini Haridwar. The steep rise has created hurdles for several government projects, including industrial and tourism schemes.
The Ganga Expressway passes through 29 villages in Garh tehsil, and since its construction began, land prices in the region have increased significantly. While land near the expressway has risen seven to eight times in value, in Brajghat and surrounding villages, plots are now being sold per square metre instead of per bigha.
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Several ambitious development plans are underway, including:
Two industrial corridors spanning 245 hectares across Bheyna, Sadarpur, Chuchawali, and Jakheda Rahmatpur.
- A helipad (small airstrip) is near the pilgrimage town.
- A tourism building in Brajghat.
- A 12-hectare plaza house near Shankratila.
However, only 35 hectares of land for the industrial corridor have been acquired so far, as government compensation, maximum four times the circle rate, falls far short of market prices, which are up to ten times higher. Farmers are refusing to part with their land, causing delays in multiple schemes.
“The land acquisition process for some projects is ongoing. However, the skyrocketing land prices are making it difficult to make land available. Continuous efforts are being made to select land for the schemes,” said Rahul Kumar, Tehsildar of Hapur.
Officials highlight that the timely implementation of these projects could create significant employment opportunities for local youth, who currently travel daily to Noida, Ghaziabad, Delhi, and Gurugram for work.