Four New Namo Cities Proposed Under NCR Regional Plan 2041
Four new greenfield cities, called Namo Cities or Namo Nodes, are proposed under the National Capital Region Regional Plan 2041. The proposal was announced on 16 June 2026 after the 42nd board meeting of the NCR Planning Board, which functions under the National Capital Region Planning Board Act, 1985.
National Capital Region and NCR Planning Board
The National Capital Region is a planning region that includes Delhi and adjoining districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and, in earlier planning frameworks, parts of neighbouring states. The NCR Planning Board prepares regional plans for land use, transport, urban growth, and infrastructure coordination across the region.
Features of the Proposed Namo Cities
One Namo City is planned in each of the four NCR participating states: Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. These cities will be developed as mixed-use Transit-Oriented Developments at selected existing and proposed stations on the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System lines. Transit-Oriented Development is an urban planning model that places housing, offices, and public services near mass transit stations. Greenfield cities are planned urban settlements developed on undeveloped land rather than through redevelopment of an existing city core.
Funding and Selection Process
A performance-linked incentive of ₹5,000 crore, including a ₹1,000 crore grant, will be provided over five years for the development of these cities. State governments will submit proposals, and the final locations will be selected through a competitive challenge-based process. Uttar Pradesh has suggested Jewar, Dadri, Khurja, Bulandshahr, and Noida as possible locations. Rajasthan is examining areas around Alwar and Bharatpur for the proposed city.
Regional Plan 2041 and Population Projection
The NCR Regional Plan 2041 is the long-term planning document for the region up to the year 2041. The plan covers urban expansion, transport connectivity, environmental management, and balanced regional development. The projected population of the NCR is expected to rise from about 7.5 crore to 7.86 crore to 14.73 crore to 15 crore by 2041. The NCR Planning Board has also decided that the geographical extent of the NCR will remain unchanged.
Important Facts for Exams
- The National Capital Region Planning Board Act, 1985 provides the legal basis for the NCR Planning Board.
- Namo Bharat is the brand name used for the Regional Rapid Transit System in India.
- Transit-Oriented Development is linked with high-density development around rail and metro stations.
- Greenfield cities are planned from the beginning and are not built by expanding an existing urban core.
Regional Planning Context
Regional plans in India are used to coordinate land use, transport corridors, and urban settlements across multiple districts or states. The NCR Regional Plan 2041 is expected to be declared final after detailed discussions and consensus within about two months.