After red flags, YEIDA green signal to new Film City plan

Time of India

a day ago

Noida: Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) on Monday approved the revised layout map for the Film City project, just days after raising multiple objections over land use violations and missing clearances.
The Authority had on May 27 rejected the layout submitted by the Boney Kapoor-led consortium, citing violations of green area norms and lack of mandatory certificates. On Monday, however, officials said the developer had rectified land use discrepancies, provided a fire no-objection certificate (NOC) and structural safety clearance, and ensured 15% green cover as mandated — paving the way for the Rs 10,000-crore project to take off.
"The revised layout plan now complies with all terms and conditions, including the requisite NOCs for fire safety and structural stability. It also adheres to the approved land-use plan. That is why we approved the layout," said Arun Vir Singh, YEIDA CEO.
"Only phase 1 of the project, covering the industrial area, is being approved right now," he added.
The first phase of development — spanning 80 acres — will focus on establishing a film institute and studios.
The entire project, spread across 230 acres in Sector 21, has set aside 155 acres for industrial purposes and 75 acres for commercial use. Of the industrial portion, 21 acres are earmarked for the film institute and 134 acres for other film-related facilities.
The earlier layout had drawn criticism from authorities for altering designated green areas and proposing commercial constructions in zones meant for parks and open spaces.
Under the concession agreement, large-scale commercial construction would be allowed only if 15% of the core film infrastructure — studios, production units, and the institute — is complete. These facilities must be ready in three years, according to the agreement.
A senior YEIDA official said the developer must follow a phase-wise plan, ensuring that film-related facilities come up first. "No permission will be granted for commercial complexes, such as malls, hotels, or resorts, without it," the official added.
Ashish Bhutani, CEO of the Bhutani Group, said development would proceed in keeping with the concession agreement. "We have addressed all concerns raised by the Authority earlier," he added.
Bayview Bhutani Film City Pvt Ltd — the consortium of filmmaker Boney Kapoor and Bhutani Group — is planning to hold the groundbreaking ceremony before June 30.
Kapoor said he was planning to invite CM Yogi Adityanath to the groundbreaking ceremony.
"We have plans aim to complete the first phase within 18 months and begin shooting thereafter," Kapoor said.
At the proposed institute and studio, local residents will be trained in various aspects of filmmaking, such as camera work, direction, art, costume and so on. "Moving a crew of 100 to 200 people from one location to another adds to production costs. If we can find trained professionals here in Noida, we can reduce the crew size to around 50. This will not only create local employment opportunities but also make film production more economical," he added.
The Film City's strategic location, just 4km from the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, could prove to be a game-changer for the region's entertainment industry.