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New Delhi: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Imperial Foundations And Planning —
New Delhi.
~6 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
George V laid the foundation stone of New Delhi on the 12th of December 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. This event marked a decisive shift from Calcutta, which had served as India's capital since the late nineteenth century. The British administration sought to move the seat of power to Delhi for logistical reasons and to distance themselves from rising nationalist movements in Calcutta. Edwin Lutyens first visited the site in 1912 to begin planning the new city. Herbert Baker joined him shortly after to collaborate on the design. Construction officially began after World War I and was completed by 1931. The city was inaugurated on the 13th of February 1931 by Viceroy Irwin. Before this date, temporary government offices were built in North Delhi in 1912 to house ministries moving from Old Delhi. The original plan envisioned construction within Tughlaqabad Fort but was abandoned due to railway lines passing through that area. A circular railway line called the Imperial Delhi Railway was constructed to transport materials and workers for twenty years. The final location settled upon Raisina Hill, directly opposite the ancient Dinapanah citadel. The Rajpath stretched from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan, forming the central axis of the new capital.
Architectural Symbolism Of Power
The New Delhi town plan was chosen with one single chief consideration: to be a symbol of British power and supremacy. All other decisions were subordinate to this framework. Many elements borrow from indigenous sources yet fit into a British Classical or Palladian tradition. The persistence of the Viceroy Hardinge and historians like E.B. Havell ensured indigenous features appeared in the design. Edwin Lutyens designed the central administrative area as a testament to Britain's imperial ambitions. Herbert Baker designed both the Secretariat building and Parliament House. These structures flank the Rashtrapati Bhavan and run parallel to the Rajpath. Connaught Place is a large circular commercial area modeled after the Royal Crescent in England. Twelve separate roads lead out of its outer ring. The India Gate was built in 1931 and inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It commemorates 90,000 soldiers who died fighting for the British Raj during World War I. The Rajpath resembles the Champs-Élysées in Paris and serves as the ceremonial boulevard for the Republic of India. Nineteen foreign embassies are located on Shantipath, making it the largest diplomatic enclave in India.
When was the foundation stone of New Delhi laid by George V?
George V laid the foundation stone of New Delhi on the 12th of December 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. This event marked a decisive shift from Calcutta, which had served as India's capital since the late nineteenth century.
Who designed the central administrative area and Parliament House in New Delhi?
Edwin Lutyens designed the central administrative area as a testament to Britain's imperial ambitions while Herbert Baker designed both the Secretariat building and Parliament House. These structures flank the Rashtrapati Bhavan and run parallel to the Rajpath.
What year did the Supreme Court mandate restrictions on diesel car registrations in New Delhi?
The Supreme Court mandated restrictions on diesel car registrations until March 2016. All taxis were ordered to switch to compressed natural gas by March 2016 and vehicles older than ten years were banned from entering the capital.
How many stations does the Delhi Metro network serve within the National Capital Region?
The Delhi Metro network consists of ten color-coded lines serving 255 stations with a total length exceeding 390 kilometers. It serves Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida within the National Capital Region.
When was the Constitution Sixty-ninth Amendment Act declared for the Union Territory of Delhi?
The Constitution Sixty-ninth Amendment Act of 1991 declared the Union Territory formally known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi. An elected government system with wide powers came into effect in 1993 excluding law and order which remained under Central Government control.
After India gained independence in 1947, limited autonomy was conferred to New Delhi. A Chief Commissioner appointed by the Government of India administered the city until 1966. In that year, Delhi became a union territory and the Chief Commissioner was replaced by a Lieutenant Governor. The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act of 1991 declared the Union Territory formally known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi. An elected government system with wide powers came into effect in 1993, excluding law and order which remained under Central Government control. The first major extension outside Lutyens' Delhi occurred in the 1950s when the Central Public Works Department developed land southwest of the original area. This created Chanakyapuri, where land was allotted for embassies and residences of ambassadors around Shanti Path. Housing for government employees developed around Gole Market in the 1920s. Lodi Colony near historic Lodi Gardens was built in the 1940s to house senior officials. The New Delhi Municipal Council administers the municipality while other urban areas fall under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. District borders were redrawn in 2012 to include the Delhi Cantonment and parts of the Municipal Corporation area.
Environmental Challenges And Air Quality
In Mercer's 2015 annual quality-of-living survey, New Delhi ranked at number 154 out of 230 cities due to bad air quality and pollution. The World Health Organization ranked it as the world's worst polluted city among about 1,600 tracked cities in 2014. United States Environmental Protection Agency listed New Delhi as the most polluted city on Earth in 2016. IQAir named it the world's most polluted capital city for two consecutive years ending in 2019. On the 7th of November 2017, the Indian Medical Association declared a public health emergency due to high pollution levels. The highest recorded index reached 999 in Punjabi Bagh district while RK Puram registered 852. Levels of PM2.5 particles hit 710 micrograms per cubic meter, more than eleven times the WHO safe limit. A temporary odd-and-even license plate travel scheme was announced by the Delhi government in December 2015. The Supreme Court mandated restrictions on diesel car registrations until March 2016. All taxis were ordered to switch to compressed natural gas by March 2016. Vehicles older than ten years were banned from entering the capital. During the COVID-19 lockdown, water quality improved significantly as industries closed down. Air quality also improved substantially during that period.
Transportation Infrastructure Development
The Delhi Metro is India's first modern public transportation system and has revolutionized travel across the region. It serves Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Noida within the National Capital Region. The network consists of ten color-coded lines serving 255 stations with a total length exceeding 390 kilometers. According to studies, the metro helped remove about 390,000 vehicles from Delhi streets. E. Sreedharan spearheaded the project as managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited. He resigned after a bridge collapse took five lives but received the Legion of Honour from France for his contributions. Indira Gandhi International Airport handled over 35 million passengers in 2012, 13. Terminal Three cost billions to construct between 2007 and 2010 and handles an additional 37 million passengers annually. New Delhi possesses one of India's largest bus transport systems operated by the state-owned Delhi Transport Corporation. Personal vehicles form a major chunk of traffic on city roads. The Inner Ring Road connects important areas through more than two dozen grade separators. The Outer Ring Road links far-flung areas of Delhi. Expressways like DND Flyway connect New Delhi to satellite cities such as Noida and Gurgaon.
Economic Hub And Global Relations
New Delhi is the largest commercial city in northern India with an estimated net State Domestic Product of Rs 3.88 trillion in fiscal year 2011, 12. Per capita income reached Rs 230,000, second highest in India after Goa. Connaught Place serves as one of North India's largest commercial and financial centers. Adjoining areas including Barakhamba Road and ITO are also major commercial hubs. The government and quasi-government sector remains the primary employer in New Delhi. Multinational companies have been attracted by the large skilled English-speaking workforce. Key service industries include information technology, telecommunications, hotels, banking, media, and tourism. The 2011 World Wealth Report ranked economic activity in New Delhi at position thirty-nine globally. The capital shares top status as the most targeted emerging markets retail destination among Asia-Pacific markets. New Delhi hosts 145 foreign embassies and high commissions. International organizations headquartered here include UNDP, UNESCO, WHO, World Bank, IMF, and UNAIDS. The city hosted the 7th NAM Summit in 1983 and the 4th BRICS Summit in 2012. India held the G20 summit in New Delhi in 2023.