Noida 2025: Year of anticipation - from airport to metro expansion; revival of Nithari, Akhlaq cases

NOIDA: (Dec 31) For Gautam Buddh Nagar, 2025 was a year of anticipation. From the long-delayed Noida International Airport at Jewar to metro expansion and air pollution, from resurrection of Dadri lynching case to the release of Nithari serial killings convict -- Noida and Greater Noida remained firmly on the national news map throughout the year, often for reasons that went well beyond local governance.

The most dominant story of the year was the Noida International Airport, envisioned as the country's largest aviation hub. Despite repeated assurances, the airport missed its commercial launch deadlines in 2025 also. It was originally scheduled for first phase launch in September 2024.

In December, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced in Uttar Pradesh assembly's winter session that the airport would be inaugurated in January 2026. Simultaneously, Phase-II land acquisition in villages across Jewar and adjoining areas moved ahead amid resistance, compensation negotiations and rehabilitation claims, keeping the district in continuous national focus.