The National Capital Region has undergone another expansion with three more districts – Mahendragarh and Bhiwani (both in Haryana) and Bharatpur (Rajasthan) – added to it on Monday. This brings the number of districts in the NCR to 19, with the total area increasing by 34% to 45,887 sq km.
And there are other districts waiting to join the elite club. Haryana wants Jind and Karnal in NCR, while UP is pushing for the inclusion of Mathura-Vrindavan.
Government sources said Monday’s inclusion was dictated by contiguity with existing NCR boundaries and ‘good’ rail and road connectivity to the national capital and other major cities.
New Entries : Mahendragarh, Bhiwani (Haryana) & Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
Waiting List : Karnal, Jind (Haryana); Mathura-Vrindavan (UP)
Total Area : 45,887 sq km
Total Population : 5.12 cr
How Inclusion Benefits : Districts get greater access to loans at cheaper rate from NCR Planning Board
The NCR Planning Board, which took the decision under the chairmanship of union urban development minister Kamal Nath, claimed the expansion would help in dispersal of economic activities and reduce pressure on Delhi’s health, educational and economic infrastructure. However, except for Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon, the dispersal being talked about has remained in theory. It is no secret that the plan to shift central government offices to NCR cities has failed completely. It’s not these offices but corporate organizations which have shifted base to Gurgaon and Noida.
Despite the cheap loans that come to a district with an NCR membership, the lack of infrastructure and planned growth in cities such as Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Hapur remains glaring. Moreover, the abject failure to resolve transport as well as law and order issues between Delhi and its immediate neighbours points to lack of coordination between administrations with often different political masters.
Sources said the biggest parameter of prosperity in most NCR districts were “real estate prices”. The NCR tag could prove to be a goldmine for realtors and builders in the areas where infrastructure remains pathetic and the resolve to change things largely absent.
An official said the biggest benefit was that districts would have access to funding from NCRPB at a cheap rates. “They can avail loans for infrastructure projects at 7-8% interest. Fund availability makes cities and government capable of taking up infrastructure augmentation projects,” he added.
While most cities have failed in exploiting the opportunity to get low-interest loans, Haryana has taken almost 70% of the total loans that NCRPB has disbursed. The official claimed that once a district is a part of NCR, the board motivates the state government to plan infrastructure at par with Delhi. “There is also focus on having a proper plan conforming to the regional plan,” he added.
NCR’s expansion also does not seem to have helped in decongesting Delhi. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit had said people from neighbouring states come, work here and use the infrastructure. Her Haryana counterpart, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has claimed the opposite. He has said the Haryana sub-region has fulfilled NCR objectives by not only checking the flight to Delhi but causing reverse migration.
However, Kamal Nath seemed to agree with Dikshit that the other constituents of NCR need to create adequate social infrastructureto reduce the burden on Delhi.
In a major boost for Jaipur's growth, the national capital region planning board (NCRPB) has declared Jaipur as the Counter Magnet Area. It also included Bharatpur in NCR triggering a new wave of development in the region.
This new status will help Jaipur get financial help from the NCR planning board at low interest rates. “The entire area under JDA's jurisdiction will get more financial support in developing infrastructure. All planning and detailed project reports will now be prepared by planning board which will help in getting better infrastructure,” said Shanti Dhariwal, UDH minister. Jaipur is the second city in state after Kota to be brought under this category.
Under the existing funding pattern, the NCRPB will support the counter magnet areas by providing them with loans at 7 to 8%. Apart from physical and social infrastructure, the board is also mandated to support magnet areas in developing specialized social, cultural and institutional centres of higher learning.
Adding another bonanza in the list, ahead of assembly elections, NCRPB included Bharatpur in the national capital region. With the inclusion of Bharatpur in NCR, it is expected to attract more investments in future. “More number of industries are expected to come up in Bharatpur and eventually it may become an industrial hub just like Neemrana and Bhiwadi. Not just government bodies but even private players may actively invest in this region” said G S Sandhu, additional chief secretary, UDH.
Both the decisions were taken by the NCRPB on the recommendation of Planning Commission of India. The optimal use of JNNURM funds and presenting series of development plans helped the state government in pulling out the approvals on both of its requests. Arun Maira, member, planning commission, asserted that Rajasthan is poised to take the giant leap after these announcements.
“Harayan has certainly benefited from this status. Gurgaon, Manesar and other cities have done extremely well. I am sure Rajasthan too will utilize this opportunity and develop its areas as metropolises,” Maira said.
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