The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is gearing up to release a revised global tender for its ambitious Film City project after encountering lackluster responses in the first two bidding rounds.
Situated in sector-21 and spanning 1,000 acres of land, the proposed Film City project is strategically positioned just 6 kilometers away from the upcoming international airport in Jewar and 12 kilometers from the eastern peripheral expressway.
The decision to reevaluate the tender approach follows subdued interest during the initial bid solicitations. Senior officials convened in Lucknow on August 21 to outline the blueprint for the reimagined Film City development.
The revamped tender conditions are set to undergo final approval from the state cabinet before being formally issued by the Authority. Dr. Arun Vir Singh, CEO of YEIDA, expressed optimism about launching the tender within the upcoming month.
Updated Project Specifications
The first phase of the Film City initiative will occupy 230 acres. However, the expansive 1,000-acre plot in sector-21, adjacent to the Jewar Airport, will remain intact and undergo development in subsequent stages.
Within the 230-acre space, 155 acres have been allocated for industrial usage, while the remaining 75 acres have been earmarked for commercial purposes, encompassing shopping complexes, plazas, malls, service apartments, and villas.
As part of the new conditions, the land lease duration has been extended to 90 years, a notable increase from the current (60+30)-year lease plan. Additionally, a provision has been introduced to prevent sub-licensing of parcels of land smaller than one hectare.
Challenges Faced
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visionary Film City project has encountered hurdles in attracting suitable developers to undertake the venture.
The project’s inaugural global tender was launched on November 22, 2021, but it drew only a solitary applicant. Unfortunately, the bid was disqualified due to the minimum requirement of engaging at least three participants.
Subsequently, a second tender was issued in October 2022, initially set to conclude on February 28, 2023. Despite multiple extensions until March 31, 2023, the Authority failed to elicit any bids.
In light of this, the Yamuna Authority engaged in discussions with major Hollywood film production studios Fox and Universal in June, seeking their insights prior to releasing the third global tender.
Earlier in May, YEIDA conducted consultations with prominent figures in the filmmaking industry, including production houses, music companies, and filmmakers. Participants in these discussions comprised industry giants like Sony, T-Series, Omaxe (part of a consortium with Adlabs Films), Star TV, PVR cinemas, as well as streaming platforms MX Player and Zoom TV.
The Authority has also maintained correspondence with influential filmmakers and actors such as Rajinikanth, Anil Kapoor, KC Bokadia, Rajpal Yadav, and Kailash Masoom to gather their input on the project.