About Noida

Noida (Hindi: नोएडा (Nōēḍā)), short for the Naveen (Hindi for 'new') Okhla Industrial Development Authority, is an area under the management of the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (also called NOIDA). Noida came into administrative existence on 17 April 1976 and celebrates 17 April as "Noida Day". Sanjay Gandhi set it up as part of an urbanization thrust during the controversial Emergency period (1975-1977). The city was created under the UP Industrial Area Development Act. It has first-class amenities and is considered to be one of the more modern suburbs of Delhi in the National Capital Region. It is also home to the Noida Film City.

Noida is located in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state. The district's administrative headquarters is in the nearby town of Surajpur, though the highest government official, the District Magistrate (DM), resides in Noida. The city is a part of the Noida-Dadri Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) constituency and Gautam Budh Nagar Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituency.

Located in the north of India, Noida is about 20-kilometre (12 mi) southeast of New Delhi. It is bound on the west and south-west by the Yamuna River, on the north and north-west by the city of Delhi, on the north-east by the cities of Delhi and Ghaziabad and on the north-east, east and south-east by the Hindon River. Noida falls under the catchment area of the Yamuna river, and is located on the old river bed. The soil is mainly rich and loamy soil and is suitable for growing seasonal vegetables, grains like wheat and cash crops like sugarcane. With the advent of urbanization, vegetables and fruits are now the main crops. The area has dry deciduous trees like Sal, Sheesham and Teak.

Demographics

The DND Flyway (or 'Toll Bridge', as it is commonly known) connects Noida with New Delhi, the capital of India

As of 2001 census, Noida had a population of 293,908. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Noida has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 78%. In Noida, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Spread across 203.16 km², Noida today has a population of more than 500,000, about 50% of whom commute to Delhi daily, solely for the purpose of work.

Economy

Picture shows the Sector-18 junction with SabMall in the background.

Spice Mall Entrance, Noida

Noida has recently become a hub for multinational firms outsourcing IT services. Many large Software and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies have their offices in the city.The richest family present in NOIDA is SINGH family.The richest person in NOIDA is Mr Janardan Singh and Mr Arvind Kumar Singh.

Many other companies have their Indian branch offices in Noida, because of the Special Economic Zone, the suburban atmosphere in Noida and its proximity to Delhi. Noida also has the head office of the Software Technology Park, established by the Government of India to promote the software industry.

Noida is a major hub of industry. Noida has quickly emerged as a hub for automobile ancillary units, with companies like Escorts, Honda-SIEL and New Holland Tractors (JV of FIAT with Ford), opening up shop in the city. A Daewoo plant was also located in the city, but has since closed. Major manufacturers and others like Fiserv, ALSTOM, ISGEC, LG, Samsung, and music company T-series also have their corporates in the city.

There is more to Noida than just industry. Film city, established by Sandeep Marwah, is the hub of all the major news channels and famous studios. News channels such as Zee News, NDTV, TV Today group, IBN, CNBC and many more are situated here. Noida's proximity to Delhi, which is the political hub of the country, makes it an attractive destination for news channels. Commercial activities have also risen in recent years, with a sudden spate of new malls and multiplexes.

All the development in the areas of Industry, Commerce and Trade have led Noida to be a model city in UP. It is a major revenue earner for the government through taxes. The Noida model is now being replicated across various cities in UP, with a proactive development agency working to achieve high growth rates for business, industry and commercial ventures.

Malls

• Great India Place (GIP) Sector 18, Centrestage Mall - Sector 18, Sab Mall - Sector 27, Shopprix Mall Sector 61, Spice Mall 

Restaurants

• Haldiram - Sector 63 and Spice Mall, Yellow Chilli - Sector 18, Shakuntalam - Sector 62, Moti Mahal Deluxe - GIP, Punjabi Tadka - Sector 18, Karims - Sector 18, The Great Kabab Factory - Sector 18, Bikanerwals - Sector 63,The Nawabs - Sector 62, Chor Bizarre - Sector 16, Bamboo Shoots - Sector 63, Samarkand - Sector 29, Bercos Garden - Sector 12, Fortune Cookie - Sector 18, Desi Vibes - Sector 18, Mc. Donald's family restaurant - Sector 18, Papa John's - Sector 18, Sagar Ratna - Sector 18 and 15, Santushti - Sector 11, Noida city 

 Fast Food / Restaurant Chains

• Dominos, Pizza Hut, Papa Jones, Mc Donalds, Sub Way, Bar, Sbarro, Slice of Italy, KFC, Nirulas, Hot Breads,Haldirams, Bikanerwalas

Education

Schools

Almost every sector in Noida, and every sector constructed before 1995, has a school.

Prominent grade schools in Noida include

• Vishwa Bharati Public School Sector-28 Arun Vihar, Kendriya Vidyalaya (Sector -23), Delhi Public School (Sector-30), Lotus Valley International School, Somerville School Sector-22, Cambridge School Sector-27, Assisi Convent School Sector-33, Apeejay School Sector-16, Noida Public School (sector-22), Khaitan Public School, Army Public School, Ryan International, Bal Bharati Public School (Sector-21), Amity International School (Sector - 44), Dayanand Anglo Vedic /DAV School, Rockwood School, Modern School Sector-12(not related to Modern School Barakhamba, New Delhi), City Public School, Karl Huber Public School - Sector 62, Father Agnel School - Sector 62, Indus Valley Public School - Sector 62, Nehru International Public School, Sunrise Ville Public School - Sector 25, Kothari International, Mayoor International, Sanjay Bal Vidyalaya (Sector-27), Brahmananda Public School (Sector-27), Marigold Public School (Sector-19), Gandhi Smarak (Sector-22), Saraswati Sishu Mandir (Sector-12)

Higher Education

Noida is also home to distinguished educational universities. These include

• Jaypee Institute of Information Technology University - Sector 62, JSS Academy of Technical Education - Sector 62, Amity University, National Institute of Advertising, Asian Academy Of Film & Television (AAFT) (which attracts students from more than 70 countries), FDDI, (an institute designed to push the cause of the footwear and leather industry with local talent), VV Giri National Labour Institute - Sector 24, National Institute for Training of Highway Engineers (NITHE) - Sector 62, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing - Sector 62, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow - Campus NOIDA - Sector 62, Oriental Bank of Commerce - Staff Training Institute - Sector 62, Satyam College of Fashion Technology - Sector 62 Also located in Noida are The Power Finance Corporation's training facilities and EDCIL (Education Development Consultants India Ltd.).

Sports

In 2005, the city hosted the Noida Half-Marathon and the city's maiden international exposure, the Queen's Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games. The city boasts its own stadium, which is being upgraded to international standards.

Transportation

Noida has been put on the fast track for the Delhi Metro. The Metro, which was earlier slated to enter Noida in 2011, has opened officially on 12th November, 2009, 10 months before the Commonwealth Games. Through Delhi Metro Noida is now connected to the Connaught Place, via the Barakhambha Road-IP Estate-Akshardham Complex link. A part of this link opened on 11 November, 2006.

Noida features two main expressways. One is the famous DND Flyway, which connects Noida and Delhi, runs across the river Yamuna, and receives heavy patronage from office-goers in the city. The second is the NOIDA-Greater NOIDA (NGN) Expressway. The area adjacent to the NGN Expressway has seen heavy residential development in recent years.

In 2006, the NOIDA Authority took up the job of widening and re-metalling of roads, which has led to some reduction of jams on the choked roads of the city. The following year, the NOIDA Authority and the Noida Traffic Police made an abortive attempt at one-way traffic movement in some of the central areas. However, the move backfired and the plan has been withdrawn.

A plan to build in Greater Noida, near Noida, is currently awaiting with Central Cabinet which has obtained approvals from all relevant ministries. If constructed, this would be the second airport in the National Capital Region of Delhi, the other one being Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Noida administration is constructing a helipad in Sector 128 to enable fast and efficient transport from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to Noida and from Noida to the tourist destination of Agra.

Miscellaneous

Army Members

Noida was in the news during the Kargil War with Pakistan, for the hometown hero Lieutenant Vijayant Thapar, who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.

Noida is home to many Indian Army personnel, and is the largest colony in Asia for serving or retired Defence Personnel. Arun Vihar (Sectors 28, 29 & 37) and Jalvayu Vihar (Sectors 21 & 25) are the main focus areas of Defence Personnel. These have been constructed by AWHO and AFNHB respectively. A Noida Shaheed Smarak is located in Sector 37.

 History

There is a War Memorial inside the Golf Course, that commemorates the 1803 Battle of Patpargunj for the control of Delhi.

 Landmarks

Sector 18 is a major landmark being retail destination for the people of Noida, Ghaziabad and Delhi. Adjacent to sector 18 is The Great India Place (TGIP) Mall to which is attached the Worlds of Wonder theme game park. The overhead Metro Rail passing through various sectors is another major landmark of Noida.

A new ISKCON temple is under construction in Sector 34, opposite to the NTPC building. The estimated budget of its construction is Rs 20 crores.

Modern architectural buildings have come up in various sectors adjacent to sector 62 housing software companies, higher educational institutions etc.

Real Estate Issues

Due to its proximity to Delhi and the increased pressure on land due to economic boom conditions, property rates are on the rise in the township. Land rates which were in the Rs. 3,000-15,000/m² range till about 5 years ago have soared to Rs. 30,000-85,000/m² (US$ 712 - 2013 / sq foot). In 2005, Noida Authority announced the construction of the world's tallest 135-story building as part of the ambitious Noida City Center development project. While the proposal was in preliminary stage, the Noida Authority came under fire and the project was then put aside. For their controversial decision to build the world's tallest building. However, the decision was shelved after protests from citizens, as the city does not have the geographical or administrative infrastructure to handle a 1 km tall building. Noida comes under seismic zone 4, which along with the loose soil and sand of the Yamuna river bed, means building collapse in an earthquake situation is a distinct possibility. It was felt that the city needs to focus on improving water quality, security, traffic management and power problems before looking at grandiose projects of little real value.

In 2006, the massive sealing drive by the MCD in adjoining Delhi, has forced traders to shut shops in Delhi and move to other locations. Gurgaon and Noida are the favoured destinations for such people, pushing property rates, both commercial and residential, further up. In November 2006, the Sector 18 market, a prime commercial area, set a new record for land rates in the NCR region with a plot of land being sold at an astounding Rs. 650,000 per square meter, (approx $15,276 per square meter), a rate that compares favourably with the highest rates of real estate across the major cities of the world including New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong.