Kanpur’s planned urban expansion is moving from paper to groundwork, with the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) beginning a survey for the first phase of Greater Kanpur. The city is proposed between Bhimsen and the Outer Ring Road and will be developed in three phases.

The first phase will cover around 1,200 acres across seven villages — Sen West Para, Sen East Para, Gopalpur, Gambhirpur, Kaitha, Durjanpura and Itara. The survey is expected to take about three months and will help identify land and landowners before the acquisition process begins.

Around 2,000–2,500 farmers and landowners are expected to be involved. KDA plans to seek consent before finalising land rates and moving ahead with acquisition.

Once complete, Greater Kanpur is planned as a modern city for nearly five lakh people, with housing for different income groups, commercial and industrial areas, schools, hospitals, parks, green belts, a convention centre, stadium and modern waste and sewage infrastructure.

Located close to Bhaunti and Bhimsen railway station, the project could open up a new growth corridor for Kanpur and create a major planned urban centre outside the existing city.