DELHI
DELHI
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. It is bordered by the state of Haryana on three sides and by Uttar Pradesh to the east. The NCT covers an area of 1,484 square kilometres (573 sq mi). According to the 2011 census, Delhi’s city proper population was over 11 million, the second-highest in India after Mumbai,while the whole NCT’s population was about 16.8 million. Delhi’s urban area is now considered to extend beyond the NCT boundaries, and include the neighbouring satellite cities of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida in an area called the National Capital Region (NCR) and had an estimated 2018 population of over 28 million people, making it the world’s second-largest urban area according to the United Nations. Recent estimates of the metro economy of its urban area have ranked Delhi either the most or second-most productive metro area of India. Delhi is the second-wealthiest city in India after Mumbai and is home to 18 billionaires and 23,000 millionaires.Delhi ranks fifth among the Indian states and union territories in human development index. Delhi has the second-highest GDP per capita in India. Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India.
Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world, and has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BCE. Through most of its history, Delhi has served as a capital of various kingdoms and empires, most notably the Tomars, Chahamanas, Delhi Sultanate and Mughals. It is also assumed to be the location of Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. The city has been captured, ransacked and rebuilt several times, particularly during the medieval period, and modern Delhi is a cluster of a number of cities spread across the metropolitan region. For many centuries Delhi has been a dominant trading and commercial centre in northern India, and since the 1990s it has emerged as an important node in the international corporate and financial network.
HISTORY
The area around Delhi was probably inhabited before the second millennium BCE and there is evidence of continuous inhabitation since at least the 6th-century BCE. There was Ochre Coloured Pottery culture in Red fort area which began around c.2600 BCE. Around c.1200 BCE the region was inhabited by people of Painted Grey Ware culture and was part of Kuru Kingdom. The city is believed to be the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas in the Indian epic Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, this land was initially a huge mass of forests called ‘Khandavaprastha’ which was burnt down by the Pandavas to build the city of Indraprastha. Later Kurus were defeated by the non-Vedic Salva tribe.
The earliest architectural relics date back to the Maurya period (c. 300 BCE); in 1966, an inscription of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (273–235 BCE) was discovered near Srinivaspuri. Remains of several major cities can be found in Delhi. The first of these were in the southern part of present-day Delhi. King Anang Pal of the Tomara dynasty founded the city of Lal Kot in 1052 CE. Prithviraj Chauhan conquered Lal Kot in 1178 and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora.
GEOGRAPHY
Delhi, a true cosmopolitan city with diversified culture is the capital of the world’s largest democracy, India. Known as Indraprastha in ancient times.
The state is spread over an area of 1483 square kilometer. According to the Indian geography the state is located at the center of the Indian subcontinent, amidst the ranges of Himalaya and the Aravalli. Delhi has been wooed by rulers, attracted invaders and has been build and destroyed several times. Historians say that is has been rebuilt seven times during different ages.
Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, Delhi is located at 28.38° N and 77.13° E on the northern part of India. There are three major geographical regions: the Yamuna flood plain, the ridge & the Gangetic Plains. The Yamuna flood plains provide fertile soil suitable for agriculture. However, these plains are prone to recurrent floods. With an average altitude of 293 m above sea level, the ridge forms the most dominating feature in this region.
Delhi comprises of 200 villages which are heavily populated.Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are the other states, which share their borders with Delhi in the west and east respectively.
It originates from the Aravalli Hills in the south and encircles the west, north-east and north-west portions of the city. The Great Plains are located in the south of the city and cover most of Delhi.
Delhi geography gives an overview of the capital city of India bearing a rich cultural background.
ECONOMY
Delhi is the largest commercial center in northern India. As of 2016 recent estimates of the economy of the Delhi urban area have been around $370 billion (PPP metro GDP) ranking it either the most or second-most productive metro area of India. The nominal GSDP of the NCT of Delhi for 2016–17 was estimated at ₹6,224 billion (US$87 billion), 13% higher than in 2015–16. As per the Economic survey of Delhi (2005–2006), the tertiary sector contributes 70.95% of Delhi’s gross SDP followed by secondary and primary sectors with 25.20% and 3.85% contributions, respectively.[ Delhi’s workforce constitutes 32.82% of the population, and increased by 52.52% between 1991 and 2001. Delhi’s unemployment rate decreased from 12.57% in 1999–2000 to 4.63% in 2003. In December 2004, 636,000 people were registered with various employment exchange programmes in Delhi.
In 2001 the total workforce in national and state governments and the quasi-government sector was 620,000, and the private sector employed 219,000. Key service industries are information technology, telecommunications, hotels, banking, media and tourism. Construction, power, health and community services and real estate are also important to the city’s economy. Delhi has one of India’s largest and fastest growing retail industries. Manufacturing also grew considerably as consumer goods companies established manufacturing units and headquarters in the city. Delhi’s large consumer market and the availability of skilled labour has also attracted foreign investment. In 2001, the manufacturing sector employed 1,440,000 workers and the city had 129,000 industrial units.
DELHI DISTRICT'S
There are eleven administrative or revenue districts in Delhi. Each of these district is headed by a District Magistrate (DM) also called Deputy Commissioner (DC), who reports to the Divisional Commissioner of Delhi. These 11 districts are divided into 33 sub-divisions of Delhi, each headed by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
The district administration of Delhi is the enforcement department for all kinds of the Government of Delhi’s policies and exercises supervisory powers over numerous other functionaries of the government.
New Delhi serves as the capital of India and is the seat of all three branches of the government, Executive (Rashtrapati Bhavan), Legislature (Sansad Bhavan) and Judiciary (Supreme Court). Similarly, Delhi is divided into 15 Police Districts, each headed by an IPS officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
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Delhi, city and national capital territory, north-central India. The city of Delhi actually consists of two components: Old Delhi, in the north, the historic city; and New Delhi, in the south, since 1947 the capital of India, built in the first part of the 20th century as the capital of British India.
One of the country’s largest urban agglomerations, Delhi sits astride (but primarily on the west bank of) the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Himalayas. The national capital territory embraces Old and New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan region, as well as adjacent rural areas. To the east the territory is bounded by the state of Uttar Pradesh, and to the north, west, and south it is bounded by the state of Haryana.
Lutyens Trust Photographic Archive; photograph, Andrew W. Barnett
Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India. According to legend, the city was named for Raja Dhilu, a king who reigned in the region in the 1st century BCE. The names by which the city has been known—including Delhi, Dehli, Dilli, and Dhilli, among others—likely are corruptions of his name. Area Old Delhi, 360 square miles (932 square km); national capital territory, 573 square miles (1,483 square km). Pop. Old Delhi, (2001) 12,260,000; national capital territory, (2001) 13,850,507; Old Delhi, (2011) 11,007,835; national capital territory, (2011) 16,753,235
demographices
According to the 2011 census of India, the population of NCT of Delhi is 16,753,235.[199] The corresponding population density was 11,297 persons per km2 with a sex ratio of 866 women per 1000 men, and a literacy rate of 86.34%. In 2004, the birth rate, death rate and infant mortality rate per 1000 population were 20.03, 5.59 and 13.08, respectively.[200] In 2001, the population of Delhi increased by 285,000 as a result of migration and by 215,000 as a result of natural population growth,[200] which made Delhi one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Dwarka Sub City, Asia’s largest planned residential area, is located within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.[201] Urban expansion has resulted in Delhi’s urban area now being considered as extending beyond the NCT boundaries to incorporate the towns and cities of neighbouring states including Faridabad and Gurgaon of Haryana, and Ghaziabad and Noida of Uttar Pradesh, the total population of which is estimated by the United Nations at over 28 million. According to the UN this makes Delhi urban area the world’s second-largest, after Tokyo,[8] although Demographia declares the Jakarta urban area to be the second-largest.[202] The 2011 census provided two figures for urban area population: 16,314,838 within the NCT boundary,[203] and 21,753,486 for the Extended Urban Area.[204] The 2021 regional plan released by the Government of India renamed the Extended Urban Area from Delhi Metropolitan Area (DMA) as defined by the 2001 plan[205] to Central National Capital Region (CNCR).[205][206] Around 49% of the population of Delhi lives in slums and unauthorized colonies without any civic amenities.[207] The majority of the slums have inadequate provisions to the basic facilities and according to a DUSIB report, almost 22% of the people do open defecation.[208]
Major social groups of Delhi include Ahir, Brahmins, Jats, Punjabis, Purvanchalis, Vaishyas, Gujjars, Sikhs, Muslims, Uttarakhandis, Bengalis, etc.
transport
AIR
Indira Gandhi International Airport, situated to the south-west of Delhi, is the main gateway for the city’s domestic and international civilian air traffic. In 2015–16, the airport handled more than 48 million passengers,[165] making it the busiest airport in India and South Asia. Terminal 3, which cost ₹96.8 billion (US$1.4 billion) to construct between 2007 and 2010, handles an additional 37 million passengers annually.[166] In 2010, IGIA was conferred the 4th best airport award in the world in the 15–25 million category, by Airports Council International. The airport was rated as the Best airport in the world in the 25–40 million passengers category in 2015, by Airports Council International. Delhi Airport was awarded The Best Airport in Central Asia and Best Airport Staff in Central Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2015.
ROAD
Delhi has the highest road density of 2103 km/100 km2 in India.[174] It is connected to other parts of India by five National Highways: NH 1, NH 2, NH 8, NH 10 and NH 24. The Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Kolkata prongs of the Golden Quadrilateral start from the city. The city’s road network is maintained by MCD, NDMC, Delhi Cantonment Board, Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Development Authority.[175]
Buses are the most popular means of road transport catering to about 60% of Delhi’s total demand.[176] Delhi has one of India’s largest bus transport systems. In 1998, the Supreme Court of India ruled that all public transport vehicles in Delhi must be fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) to tackle increasing vehicular pollution.
RAILWAY
Delhi is a major junction in the Indian railway network and is the headquarters of the Northern Railway. The main railway stations are New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar, Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Delhi Cantt.[183] The Delhi Metro, a mass rapid transit system built and operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), serves many parts of Delhi and the neighbouring cities Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida.
METRO
The Delhi Metro is a rapid transit system serving Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida in the National Capital Region of India. Delhi Metro is the world’s tenth-largest metro system in terms of length. Delhi Metro was India’s second modern public transportation system. The network consists of eleven lines with a total length of 311 kilometres (193 miles) with 214 stations, which are a mix of underground, at-grade and elevated stations. All stations have escalators, lifts, and tactile tiles to guide the visually impaired from station entrances to trains.
RESEDENTIAL AREAS
BLANK MAM
MARKET(CHANDANI CHOWK Market)
It is a shopping district that exists for hundred of years. Exploring the district’s winding and narrow alleys is such an adventure. The chowk’s lanes is divided into bazaars of specialization. One will find fabrics in Katra Neel. In the Bhagirath Palace area, visitors will find a huge range of electronics. If one wants to buy silver jewellery, they should head to Dariba Kalan in old Delhi. For wedding requirements, there is Kinari bazaar. Asia’s largest spice market is at Khari Baoli Road.
Location: Old Delhi
Opening Hours: Everyday except for Sundays
What to Purchase: Fabrics, jewellery, spices, and electronic goods
SHOPPING MALL (PACIFIC MALL)
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Every great place needs time to nurture and become grand. Likewise, Pacific Mall in Tagore Garden opened its door in 2011. Soon, it emerged as the most iconic shopping mall in Delhi NCR. Now, the mall stands as a robust figure in the retail approach and entertainment sector.
With several awards and appreciations that add outstanding popularity, Pacific Mall is the one name that completes every retail need, entertainment mood, and dining passion. Back in 2011, we were one of the best malls in Delhi. In 2020, TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award points out us as the best mall in Delhi. It’s an outstanding achievement, that only 10 percent of retailers hold across the world.
At Pacific Mall, you will find a plethora of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment that impressively suit your taste and budget. Several prominent retailers from across the world join side by side to offer the finest shopping experience. Similarly, we have brought handpicked the best culinary outlets to suit your taste and budget.
From a grand and luxury cinema theatre to a gaming parlour with many arcades games, and from complete vegetarian menus to non-veggies bliss, everything is under a single roof. Spread across the massive area of 600,000 sq. ft., the mall has enough to offer you a wide variety of brands.
MOVIE THREATERS
Renovation
With video piracy and DVD sales offering stiffer competition to cinema halls in recent years, some cinema hall owners have countered by offering both upgraded technology and more luxurious surroundings. There are a number of longstanding single theatres that have been renovated or have upgraded their facilities and are still successfully operating as single-screen cinema halls. For example, the old Alankar Cinema in Lajpat Nagar was completely renovated to include shops and restaurants and was reopened as 3C’s in 2002.
Plaza Cinema
The Plaza Cinema opened in 1933 and was designed by architect Robert Tor Russell as part of the Connaught Place development. The facade had a classical style with columns that matched adjoining buildings.
The facade was covered over in 1967 by a plain stone slab, while the inside the auditorium has been modernised by a covering of peg board sound insulation tiles which give a bland appearance. Seating is provided in stalls and balcony levels. The cinema is equipped to screen 70mm film and recently underwent a renovation, re-opening in May 2004 by the popular multiplex chain PVR Cinemas. The close by Rivoli Cinema was also recently renovated and re-opened by PVR Cinemas.
PARKS
The Buddha Jayanti Smarak Park is situated in the central part of the Delhi ridge in New Delhi, India. It occupies a stretch of almost a kilometre on the eastern side of Vandemataram Marg, also known as Upper Ridge Road.It was created on the occasion of the 2500th anniversary of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment by Indian architect M. M. Rana.[14] A sapling of the Bodhi Tree from Sri Lanka was planted here by the then Prime Minister of India Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri on 25 October 1964.
On an artificial island in the park stands pavilion with a gilded Buddha statue in it. It was dedicated by the 14th Dalai Lama in October 1993. Each year in May on Vaisakha Full moon day the Buddha Jayanti festival is celebrated here.
HOSPITALS
The idea of AIIMS arose in 1946, after a recommendation by the Health Survey of the Government of India. From then to the establishment and development of AIIMS (New Delhi) over the ensuing years, several illustrious individuals played their part in bringing the idea to fruition. Originally proposed by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru for establishment in Calcutta, it was established in New Delhi following the refusal of Chief Minister of West Bengal Bidhan Chandra Roy.[3] The foundation stone of AIIMS Delhi was laid in 1952.[4] On February 18, 1956, the then Minister of Health, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, introduced a new bill in the Lok Sabha, that would eventually become the AIIMS Act. “It has been one of my cherished dreams that for post graduate study and for the maintenance of high standards of medical education in our country, we should have an institute of this nature which would enable our young men and women to have their post graduate education in their own country,” she said.[5] The old and new main OPD blocks at AIIMS, New Delhi are named after her. When the bill was adopted in May 1956, it became the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956.
DELHI LOCAL AREAS
Adarsh Nagar
Ashok Vihar
Begum Pur
Karala
Narela
Pitam Pura
Rohini Sub City
Shalimar Bagh
Civil Lines
Gulabi Bagh
Kamla Nagar
Kashmiri Gate
Kotwali
Model Town
Mori Gate
Sadar Bazaar
Sarai Rohilla
Shakti Nagar
Tis Hazari
Timarpur
Wazirabad
GTB Nagar
Dilshad Garden
Naveen Shahdara
New Usmanpur
Shahdara
Shastri Park
Yamuna Vihar
Chandni Chowk
Daryaganj
Jhandewalan
Karol Bagh
Shastri Nagar
Kishanganj
Paharganj
Rajender Nagar
Barakhamba Road
Chanakyapuri
Connaught Place
Gole Market
INA Colony
Laxmibai Nagar
Pragati Maidan
East Vinod Nagar
Jhilmil Colony
Laxmi Nagar
Mayur Vihar
Pandav Nagar
Preet Vihar
Anand Vihar
Vasundhara Enclave
Vishwas Nagar
Vivek Vihar
Kamal Hans Nagar
Chattarpur
Green Park
Gulmohar Park
Hauz Khas
Hauz Khas Village
Khanpur
Malviya Nagar
Mehrauli
Neeti Bagh
Netaji Nagar
Safdarjung Enclave
Sainik Farm
Saket
Sangam Vihar
Sarojini Nagar
Sarvodaya Enclave
Siri Fort
South Extension
Sriniwaspuri
Jor Bagh
Lodhi Colony
Khan Market
Sundar Nagar
Nizamuddin East
Nizamuddin West
Sarai Kale Khan
Jangpura
Defence Colony
Lajpat Nagar
New Friends Colony
Nehru Place
Kalkaji
East of Kailash
Chittaranjan Park
Govindpuri
Greater Kailash
Alaknanda
Jamia Nagar
Okhla
Sarita Vihar
Jaitpur
Tughlaqabad
Badarpur
Dabri, New Delhi
Dwarka Sub City
Delhi Cantonment
Dhaula Kuan
Inderpuri
Mahipalpur
Moti Bagh
Munirka
Najafgarh
Naraina Vihar
Palam
Rama Krishna Puram
Sagar Pur
Vasant Kunj
Vasant Vihar