‘Noida International Airport will transform UP’: Nand Gopal Gupta, state industries minister

Interview/ Nand Gopal Gupta, industries minister, UP

Q What is the business development infrastructure UP is planning around the Noida Airport?

A A dedicated electronics manufacturing cluster is being established in Sector 10, spanning 206 acres, with an investment of Rs450 crore. Strategically located near Noida International Airport, the hub is projected to generate more than 31,000 jobs. The entire cluster is scheduled for completion by January 31, 2028.

Additionally, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is developing five specialised industrial parks on 600 acres, catering to electric vehicles, plastic processing, handicrafts, footwear and transport logistics. The region will also host a dedicated film city, designed to attract investments from the media and entertainment industries. A medical device park is also being developed in YEIDA.

A key milestone in this transformation is the recently approved Rs3,706 crore semiconductor manufacturing plant—a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn in Jewar—which will generate significant employment opportunities and strengthen the region’s economic foundation.

Q What kind of impact would these have in terms of jobs and business activity?

A The electronics manufacturing hub alone is projected to generate more than 31,000 jobs. Microsoft, investing Rs1,800 crore, plans to create at least 3,000 jobs. With additional investments from HCL, Tech Mahindra, Samsung, LG and Dixon Technologies, job creation is expected across sectors like IT, electronics, logistics, media and manufacturing.

The logistics and cargo hub will attract global supply chain players, increasing trade and business transactions. The five upcoming industrial parks will stimulate SME activity and ancillary industries, fostering a broad-based industrial ecosystem. UP is also planning a world-class agri-export facility near Jewar airport to boost horticultural exports.

This rapid industrialisation will not only provide direct employment but also create numerous indirect jobs in real estate, hospitality, retail, and services.

Q How will the NIA transform western UP and the entire state itself?

A The influx of investments and industrial projects will accelerate job creation, infrastructure development and overall income growth.

Socially, the emergence of five new cities, including New Noida and Heritage City, will bring modern residential developments, advanced health care facilities and quality educational institutions. These urban centres will not only enhance living conditions but also foster cultural integration, reducing migration to metropolitan areas and ensuring more balanced regional growth.

In terms of living standards, western UP will experience a transformation with upgraded civic amenities, dependable utilities and enhanced public services.

Q What kind of incentives would the UP govt provide to attract businesses and logistics providers to the area?

A Under the Multi-Modal Logistics Park Policy 2024, the state is incentivising investments in logistics by offering financial benefits such as a 30 per cent land subsidy, exemptions from internal development charges, and 100 per cent stamp duty waivers for eligible projects.

To attract businesses near Noida International Airport, the government is rolling out an incentive package under various industrial policies, including the Semiconductor Policy 2024. Investors benefit from capital subsidies, land cost rebates, stamp duty exemptions and electricity duty waivers, reducing operational costs and enhancing profitability. Companies setting up in this zone receive 100 per cent reimbursement of state GST for 10 years, alongside dual power grid connections, water subsidies and financial support for workforce upskilling. The inclusion of non-disturbance clauses in lease agreements further ensures regulatory stability, fostering long-term investments.

Q What measures are the UP government taking to maintain law and order?

A UP has implemented a comprehensive strategy to address law and order concerns surrounding the Noida International Airport. An integrated security framework will include advanced surveillance systems, AI-based monitoring and real-time coordination with law enforcement. Dedicated police units and quick-response teams will be deployed to cover the airport, surrounding industrial zones and key transport corridors.

A dedicated fleet of police response vehicles will also be stationed in and around Jewar airport, industrial areas, and major markets. Additionally, traffic management systems and checkpoint surveillance will be strengthened to prevent congestion and enhance security.

Q Is the government planning any further connectivity options?

A The government, in collaboration with the Centre and private players, is actively expanding connectivity to support Noida International Airport and its surrounding industrial belt. YEIDA has approved a 120-metre-wide, 74.3-kilometre expressway that will link the airport directly to the Ganga Expressway, facilitating seamless travel between Meerut and Prayagraj.

Additionally, a 31-kilometre greenfield expressway will connect the airport to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, enhancing national-level accessibility. To further strengthen transport infrastructure, plans are underway for a 72-kilometre rapid rail corridor between Ghaziabad and Jewar, along with metro extensions to improve urban mobility.