Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has proposed increasing the floor area ratio (FAR) for IT, ITES, and Biotech Park plots from 2 to 4, seeking state government approval. This decision follows demands from existing allottees and new investors, aiming to accommodate the region's growth as an investment hub.
GNIDA has proposed amending its Building Regulations 2010 to revise the floor area ratio (FAR) for IT, IT-enabled services (ITES), and Biotech Park plots. A proposal to increase the FAR from 2 to 4 has been sent to the state government for approval.
According to Additional CEO Prerna Singh, the Authority has received demands from both existing allottees and new companies looking to invest in the region to increase the FAR. Representatives from IT/ITES allottees have argued that the existing FAR of 2 is inadequate in view of the region's rapid transformation into a centre of investment and industrial growth.
The demand for office spaces has seen a sharp rise with increasing interest from global technology firms, allied industries, and service providers. Industry stakeholders suggested that raising the FAR up to 3.5 would be necessary to fully meet this demand. In their view, a higher FAR would not only make projects more economically viable but also ensure efficient utilisation of land resources in line with international planning practices.
Subsequently, GNIDA formed a committee of officials to study the demand and suggest recommendations. At a meeting on July 23, the committee recommended that the permissible FAR be retained at 2 for plots situated on roads less than 24m wide, while allowing a higher FAR of 2.5 for plots located on roads 24m or wider. At the same time, it acknowledged that the higher FAR would place greater pressure on civic infrastructure, necessitating upgrades in water, sewerage, and road networks.
The committee studied practices adopted by comparable authorities in its deliberations. Noida Authority already permits an FAR of 2.5 for IT/ITES plots situated on roads 24m wide and above. Taking this into account, the committee recommended aligning Greater Noida's policy with Noida's.
The proposal also clarified that purchasable FAR will be permitted only if sufficient ground coverage remains available at the applicant's site. The present norms allow 30% ground coverage. Revenue generated through such FAR purchases is expected to provide the Authority with substantial funds, which can then be invested in urban infrastructure such as water pipelines, sewer systems, and arterial road improvements. This reinvestment will be critical to sustaining higher-density development without compromising the quality of civic services, officials said.
On July 28, the proposal was placed before the GNIDA board for consideration so it could be forwarded to the state government for final approval. During the meeting, the then chairman suggested that the FAR should be increased to 3, with an additional purchasable FAR of 1. The ACEO said the proposal was sent to the state government for consideration.
"In the meantime, we are in the process of seeking public opinion on this. For existing IT/ITES plots, anything above 2 FAR will be purchasable," ACEO Singh added.
For the IT/ITES and biotechnology sectors, the proposed FAR revision is expected to significantly improve the availability of high-quality office and research space. Industry experts say that a higher FAR allows developers to create more built-up area on the same plot, thereby reducing costs per square foot and making projects more attractive to global investors.
The move will enable multinational companies and start-ups alike to establish larger campuses, R&D facilities, and service centres in Greater Noida. This, in turn, will generate a stronger business ecosystem, support ancillary industries such as hospitality and retail, and create thousands of jobs for skilled professionals.
By aligning its FAR norms with those of Noida, Greater Noida also stands to benefit from integrated regional growth, ensuring that the NCR develops as a cohesive technology corridor capable of competing with established hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, officials said.
