Greater Noida emerges a destination for international events

Greater Noida, the industrial hub of UP just 40 km from the national capital, is fast emerging as an ideal destination for international events in the country.

Thanks to its excellent road connectivity with Delhi and the well planned India Exposition Mart located on Noida Expressway, more and more international events are being hosted at this centre.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) summit, Petrotech-2014 and now the Auto Expo have all made their way to this suburb, mainly owing to the traffic snarls on Delhi roads.

UP government and local authorities are upbeat about the trend. The UP government claims that projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and industrial townships coming up, Greater Noida will be an even more most sought after destination.

"We want to promote Greater Noida as an international hub for business as well a residential hub. It has already become undisputed international events destination. UP government is constructing five new ultra modern police stations, and hiring about 4,000 policemen only to this district aiming to streamline policing," said Alok Ranjan UP industrial development commissioner.

"Poor public transport system and lack of metro connectivity between Greater Noida and Delhi till date posed a hurdle in the development of this industrial town. It could have done better if law and order had been better," said Pradeep Kharbanda a private architect and town planner.

Hoteliers and realtors are cashing in on the international events.

"This is the first year of Auto Expo in Greater Noida and being the first star hotel in Noida we have received an overwhelming response. The hotel is booked to capacity during the event," said Rajat Sethi, GM, Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida.

The Greater Noida authority is now building a convention centre, heliport and several other facilities near the Expo Mart.

"We are building a heliport only 500 meters away from the Expo Mart," said Rama Raman, chairman and CEO of the Greater Noida authority. "A convention centre equipped with business district, food court, cultural centre and office space will be built in Knowledge Park-III next to Expo Mart. Even the annual All India International Trade Fair may be held here in future."

#AutoExpo2014 in pics:

• Bikes get leaner and meaner
• Cars on display
• Motoring heaven!
• Driving into the future

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra poses with Jaguar Land Rover's Range Rover LWB during its launch at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida. (Reuters Photo)