Ghaziabad set for ₹2,200-cr makeover

Lucknow: Up for major transformation the state govt has lined up a series of big ticket projects to upgrade the status of Ghaziabad, a city which acts as a gateway to Uttar Pradesh.A budget of Rs 2,200-crore is going to be infused to set up an international cricket stadium and Aerocity project.The integrated hub will also include an international convention centre, which is expected to become one of its major attractions. Alongside this, there will be a sports academy, smart residential complexes, green spaces and outdoor sports facilities, creating a destination where people can live, work, invest, and relax.According to vice-chairman of the Ghaziabad Development Authority Nand Kishore Kalal, the project has been designed to global standards and will be developed under a joint venture model with the UP Cricket Association after approval by the GDA board. Though its blueprint was first prepared in 2014-15, the plan remained stalled for years and failed to move at the expected pace. Now, under the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it has been prioritized and is advancing rapidly.The economic impact is expected to be significant. From construction and hospitality to retail and services, the project is likely to generate employment for lakhs of people, boost tourism, attract investment, and strengthen the economy of Ghaziabad and the wider western Uttar Pradesh region.