Urban Planning is both a technical as well a political process. It is a combined effort of professionals, political representatives and bureaucracy that ensures qualitative urban infrastructure. Urban planning is not only the subject of developing infrastructure like roads, electricity, drainage, settlements, buildings, and security. It also involves the development of a society free from any political biases based on international standards. It is the composite development of human settlement which derives the complete growth of the region around, ultimately leading to the creation of wealth.
Similarly, Delhi and the surrounding areas have traditionally been a centre of power as well as economic activities. With time, as the population grew, the area also expanded. But the region which made urban planning a multiplier of economic activities flourished. The region which strangulated itself in vote-bank politics will perish in the future.
In the expansion of the National Capital region, the three most important cities, Noida, Gurugram and Delhi, are racing ahead with the future. Starting simultaneously in the race, Noida and Greater Noida will leave Delhi-Gurugram far behind in terms of development. To start with, let’s first understand the historical development of these cities.
Story of Delhi
According to Mahabharata, Delhi was settled by the Pandavas in the name of Indraprastha. According to the Jatakas, Indraprastha was situated in a circle of seven kos. How long Indraprastha was the capital of the descendants of the Pandavas, it cannot be said with certainty. But according to the evidence of the Puranas, the successors of Parikshit and Janamejaya had also kept their capital at Hastinapur for a long time.
Delhi or Indraprastha had no special importance in the Maurya period because Magadha was the centre of political power at that time. After the Maurya period, Delhi and its surrounding areas remained relatively insignificant for about 1,300 years. In the 12th century, Prithviraj Chauhan made Delhi his capital. After this, the Khilji and Tughlaq dynasties ruled here and the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate was laid.
In 1398, Delhi was attacked by the invader Timur and the sultanate ended. Lodhi was followed by Babur and after that the Mughals continued to rule from there. In the year 1911, the British changed their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. After that Delhi became the capital of India and even after the independence, India continued with the same.
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The story of Noida-Greater Noida
In 1972, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India, a discussion erupted over the future development of Delhi. Increasing population pressure in Delhi was effectively the reason behind these discussions. Considering these situations, in 1972, 50 villages covered by Yamuna-Hindon-Delhi border were declared a controlled area. This announcement was made under the UP Regulation of Building Operation Act 1958. The decision to declare villages as regulated areas was taken on March 7, 1972.
In June 1975, the New Okhla Industrial Area (NOIDA) was developed under the UP Industrial Act 1976 on the lines of the Okhla Industrial Area of South Delhi. Greater Noida, like Noida, is located in Gautam Budh Nagar of Uttar Pradesh. It was also settled in 1991 under the UP Industrial Act 1976. Greater Noida emerged as a great city in a very short time. Today, Greater Noida seems to be developing much faster than Noida.
Story of Gurugram
According to the legends, Gurugram was the village of Guru Dronacharya. During the reign of Akbar, Gurugram came to be counted in the areas of Delhi and Agra. After the Revolt of 1857, it was transferred from the North-Western Provinces to the Punjab Province. In 1861, the district, of which Gurugram was a part, was reorganized into five tehsils: Gurgaon, Firozpur Jhirka, Nuh, Palwal and Rewari and the modern city of Gurgaon. In 1947, Gurgaon came under the state of Punjab. But with the creation of the state of Haryana in 1966, it joined Haryana.
Now the next story
Now, the question is how Noida and Greater Noida will leave Gurugram Delhi behind in development. There can be many parameters to understand the development of any city. To summarise the reason, we have subdivided them into four important parameters. That is – infrastructure, connectivity, law and order and government policies.
Infrastructure
In terms of infrastructure, Noida-Greater Noida are far ahead of Gurugram. Noida-Greater Noida are planned city. Noida is divided into sectors. Commercial areas are completely separated from residential areas. Commercial areas have also been arranged in a planned manner. Parks have been set up in all sectors and blocks. Similar arrangements have been made in residential areas.
Whiled Noida roads are wide and clean, the roads of Gurugrams are haphazardly developed. At some places the roads are wide, clean and maintain on international standards. But in some places, they do not even meet the standards of the countryside roads.
Gurugram can never compete with Noida-Greater Noida in the issue of electricity supply. One of the reasons is that in Noida and Greater Noida, private companies are entrusted with supply of electricity, which maintains efficiency. While in Gurugram, the supply of electricity depends on the Haryana State Electricity Board.
Similar issues are found in the water supply. Noida and Greater Noida are efficient with water supply. While on the other hand Gurugram lacks such standards.
In the same way, whether it is a matter of traffic, market, public transport, rental properties or of housing society, Noida and Greater Noida are way ahead in public utilities than Gurugram.
Connectivity
Till now, in terms of connectivity, a special advantage for Gurugram was the Indira Gandhi Airport. Delhi airport is closer to Gurugram. Due to this, many companies opened their offices in Gurugram. But now that is also going to change. The government is developing a huge Airport in Jewar. The grand Jewar Airport will make Noida and Greater-Noida efficient in the area of connectivity.
Talking about being road connectivity, Noida and Greater Noida are far ahead of Gurugram. For example, there are three entry points from Delhi to Gurugram. Whereas, if we talk about Noida and Greater Noida, then both the cities connect to Delhi from many sides.
Law and order
This is a standard on which questions were raised on Noida and Greater Noida a few years ago. But that era has now long passed. Now, the law-and-order situation is completely under the control of the able administrator Yogi Adityanath. His zero-tolerance policy against criminals has created a conducive environment for development. Prompt action of policy has developed such a fear in the state that criminals are running to jail to save their life.
It is a stark contrast to say that while earlier criminals used to run from the state now they are running towards the state to save their lives. The recurring effect of the Bulldozer model has created psychological effects in criminals. They are fearful of disproportionate action against them in the case of any unlawful activities.
On the other hand, Gurugram is still struggling to maintain the law-and-order situation.
As Delhi and the area around was traditionally a hotbed of dacoits, the Yogi government created an expressway police to maintain the law. But the same thing does not happen to highways running through Gurugram.
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Government policies
Now, we will discuss the final parameters of urban planning of these cities. Government policies also determine the pace of development in many ways. The same happened with Greater Noida and Gurugram. The biggest example of this is the Haryana government’s reservation policy. The government has made a provision to give 75 percent reservation to the local youth of Haryana in private sector jobs, especially in industries. There was a lot of controversy over this decision. This decision is undoubtedly good for the youth of Haryana. But not good for the companies.
A company’s foundational business is to earn profit. To ensure their principal goal they adopt every policy to ensure that their input cost remains low and the company earns the profit. It is the competition of the market which decides the employment and salaries of employees. But, mandatorily, forcing the private sector to accept the reservation policy is regressive and unacceptable from every business principle. That is why many private businesses are leaving the state to the more favourable and competitive state. Reason why, Gurugram’s future looks very looming and Noida and Greater Noida are ready to take the lead in the country for business growth.
Now, the question why Delhi is out of the league. Why I am not comparing it with Delhi – why am I doing it with Gurugram? That’s right. I did not compare Noida-Greater Noida with Delhi in all parameters. There are many reasons behind that. The reasons are: –
- Delhi has reached the saturation level of development. It cannot be expanded further. The old structure can only be repaired or rebuilt but cannot be completely changed.
- The area of Delhi is very limited and the population load is very high. Population density and quality both are getting worse.
- Aam Aadmi Party is in power in Delhi and Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister. Due to his populous government schemes and policies, the budget of the state is mostly consumed in revenue spending. In this scenario, very little is left for the capital spending. So, the state will be left with limited scope of development of public utilities.
As Delhi will perish due to the political structure, Gurugram has multifold problems to tackle, the only city left for businesses is Noida. Here, political leadership is strong. Their policies are very favourable for businesses. Government is ready to accept the change. Politicians-bureaucracy-businesses nexus are under control. Criminals are leaving the state. Everything is conducive for business. Businesses bring revenue and employment and help in multiplying the wealth of the state. The wealth creation further creates a recurring effect of development and that is how Noida and Greater Noida would continue to time ahead with Delhi and Gurugram.
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