The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has recently greenlighted the ‘Draft Regional Plan 2041’ suggesting a reduction in the size of the National Capital Region (NCR). The NCRPB was established in 1985 to ensure balanced development of the NCR and prohibit irregular expansion.
New Boundary Aspects
Under the new proposal, the geographical expanse of the region will be a consistent circular region having a radius of 100km from Rajghat (Delhi). Any area within this radius is primed for development as a core sector. The NCR, conceived in 1985, aimed at coordinated urban development in Delhie’s vicinity. All notified cities/towns with a corridor of one km on either side of connecting expressways/national highways/state highways/Regional Rapid Transit System will be included beyond the 100 km radius and up to the existing NCR boundary.
Currently, the NCR encompasses 24 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi, sprawling over an area of 55,083 square kilometres.
Natural Conservation Zones Renaming
The term natural conservation zones, first introduced in the Regional Plan-2021 will be replaced by “natural zones” in the approaching Regional Plan-2041.
State Empowerment
According to the plan, states would have the discretion to determine whether tehsils partially inside the NCR boundary should remain part of it.
Envisioning a Slum-free NCR
The DRP 2041 Plan will facilitate a future-oriented, slum-free National Capital Region, equipped with an air ambulance service and high-speed connectivity through helitaxis, roadways, railways, and inland waterways.
Enhanced Rail Connectivity
The NCRDP proposes investigating the viability of a 30-minute Mass Transit Rail System (MTRS) from the nearest NCR boundaries to Delhi.
Implications of the Changes
If put into action, some parts of Panipat in Haryana and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh will be excluded from the new NCR map. The rationale is to provide a compact area for better planning and development. This reshaping will particularly benefit rural areas, giving state governments the ability to plan their growth more effectively.
Identified Issues
Currently, the NCR spans around 150-175 kilometres, encompassing entire districts and rural regions. However, with the approval of Regional Plan 2041, areas beyond 100 km might not be a central part of the NCR. Other problems identified include lack of access to basic services such as water and sanitation, legality of certain properties, road congestion, quality of drinking water, and risks related to disasters such as fire or earthquakes.
Way Forward
The government must address the issue of the multiple agencies involved in the region, like DDA, Delhi Jal Board, Flood and Irrigation Department, and several municipal corporations, to ensure better coordination. Strict adherence to plans for cleaning water bodies and drains is crucial, as it has been a significant challenge for Delhi agencies for years. Regulation of waste dumping in the Yamuna river also needs stricter enforcement.
This restructured plan, while bringing about several changes, aims to streamline processes and improve the overall living conditions within NCR.
