Residents of Greater Noida will now find themselves paying higher water bills, as the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has introduced a 10% hike in water charges, set to come into effect from April 1.
The move has been met with mixed reactions, as many homeowners face an increased burden in their monthly expenses amidst a broader economic climate marked by rising costs across multiple sectors. This adjustment comes as part of a series of changes by GNIDA, including an increase in land rates and plans for extensive infrastructure development. Under the new tariff structure, water charges for residential plots up to 60 square metres will rise from Rs 173 to Rs 190 per month. For plots measuring between 60 to 120 square metres, the bill will increase from Rs 286 to Rs 315. Properties with a larger footprint, such as those between 201 to 350 square metres, will see their bills rise to Rs 942. For even bigger properties, including those measuring 501 to 1,000 square metres, the charges will increase to Rs 1,855 monthly. Group housing societies will face higher hikes, with properties up to 1,000 square metres now requiring a payment of Rs 8,250 per month, while larger plots, ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 square metres, will be required to pay as much as Rs 1.1 lakh. Properties over 10 acres will be charged an additional Rs 14,124 for each extra acre.
These adjustments to water bills are part of a broader strategy to fund the growing demands for infrastructure and public services in Greater Noida, a rapidly developing area that has seen significant urbanisation in recent years. GNIDA officials have also made it clear that failure to pay water bills within the designated financial year will result in recovery through annual interest, compounded half-yearly. To ensure that the payment process remains streamlined, the authority has introduced the option of paying bills online or through the Mitra app, with a 5% discount offered for annual payments made between April and September. However, late payments beyond the fiscal year will incur an 11% annual interest charge, which could add to the financial strain on residents.
Simultaneously, GNIDA has also announced a 5% increase in land rates across all categories. For residential areas, including sectors such as Alpha 1, 2, Beta 1, 2, Delta 1, 2, 3, and Swarn Nagri, land rates will rise from Rs 47,227 to Rs 49,588 per square metre. Similarly, builder plots in these areas will now cost Rs 57,218 per square metre, an increase from the previous Rs 54,493. Commercial plots will see a rise to Rs 69,932 per square metre from Rs 66,602, while industrial plot rates in Ecotech areas have been revised to a range between Rs 32,327 and Rs 20,284 per square metre. Institutional plots will now range from Rs 21,899 to Rs 28,608 per square metre. These changes are aimed at improving GNIDA’s revenue and funding ongoing development projects. Furthermore, GNIDA has approved a substantial budget of Rs 5,600 crore for the 2025-26 financial year. A significant portion of this budget—Rs 1,400 crore—will be allocated for land acquisition, while the remaining funds will go towards the development of essential infrastructure to support the growing population of Greater Noida. This comprehensive plan aims to address the increasing demand for urban amenities and improve the overall quality of life for residents, especially as the city’s infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapid expansion.
While the hikes in water charges and land rates are expected to generate significant revenue for the city’s development, they come at a time when many residents are already grappling with the rising cost of living. The increased water bills, alongside the land rate hikes, could further strain household budgets, particularly for those in the lower and middle-income brackets. As Greater Noida continues to grow and evolve, it remains to be seen how residents will respond to these changes and whether the authority can balance revenue generation with the needs and affordability of its citizens. In the face of these changes, the residents of Greater Noida must adapt to the growing urban pressures while also considering long-term solutions that ensure sustainability and equitable access to resources. The future of the city hinges on striking the right balance between infrastructure development, urban expansion, and the financial well-being of its inhabitants.
