The National Capital Region is a massive, evolving urban experiment centered on Delhi, India.
In short: Spanning over 50,000 square kilometres, the National Capital Region is a complex, mixed rural-urban zone designed to harmonize development across Delhi and its neighboring states. It is currently undergoing a massive infrastructure transformation, featuring high-speed rail corridors and ambitious green initiatives to manage its rapid growth and environmental challenges.
Established by the National Capital Region Planning Board Act of 1985, the NCR was created to coordinate land use and infrastructure development across Delhi and surrounding districts in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. What began as a 34,144 square kilometre region has expanded significantly over the decades, reaching 50,566 square kilometres by 2015. As of 2021, the region encompasses 24 districts outside of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, housing a population estimated between 40 and 50 million people.
The region faces significant environmental and logistical hurdles. Industrial pollution accounts for 51% of the NCR's pollution, while vehicles contribute 27%. To combat this, authorities have proposed a 1,600-kilometre ecological corridor known as the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, which aims to plant 1.35 billion native trees over a decade. Furthermore, nearly half of the region lacks connection to sewage networks, leading to untreated waste entering the Yamuna river. These issues are central to the 'Draft Regional Plan 2041,' which proposes focusing development within a 100-kilometre radius of Rajghat.
Infrastructure projects are currently reshaping regional connectivity. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, India's first Regional Rapid Transit System, is being developed with trains capable of reaching operational speeds of 160 km/h. Additionally, the region is building an extensive orbital rail network and the Jewar Airport in Noida, which is expected to become one of Asia's largest upon completion in 2025. These efforts aim to alleviate the strain on existing systems, such as the Delhi Metro, and address long-standing regional disparities, including the lack of a high court bench in western Uttar Pradesh, where residents currently face a 700-kilometre journey to Allahabad for hearings.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: National Capital Region (India)
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