After fortifying its connectivity, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) now wants to turn the city into a nature haven. Concretisation concerns have forced the authority to sit up and take notice. The heavy influx of migrants is choking the city. Though solutions were identified long ago, lack of vision and adequate funds are pushing the city to the brink. This puts enormous strain on the already fragile infrastructure in Ghaziabad.
In an effort to counter rampant concretisation, GDA is working on a proposal to create a 100-acre “city jungle” as well as a “city lake” of the same size within the district. GDA officials said the venture aims to improve the ecological health of the city and to make the venues “exciting adventure spots.” Officials said the “city jungle” will have a heavy tree cover as well as walking paths and benches. The 100-acre city lake will also be cultivated as a travel destination.
“Ghaziabad’s infrastructure is already creaking under the sheer numbers of migrants given how this city is connected to three national highways. The Hindon riverbed will hence, be developed into a 100-acre forest with over 50,000 trees — some with medicinal value planted over 5-acre — at a cost of Rs 15 crore and will serve as the lungs of the city already gasping for air,” said Santosh Yadav, vice- chairman, GDA, adding, “Composted cow manure will be used and will add generous amounts of organic matter to the soil. Murram (red sand) roads would be built. A deer park too will be created for children.”
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been inked with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Earlier GDA had developed Kanha Upvan, cattle ground of the city municipal corporation.