City Structure Guide Delhi
Delhi is a huge sprawling city where old historical monuments stand next to modern skyscrapers, flyovers, malls and huge commercial complexes. Historically the city was divided into Old Delhi and New Delhi, but now the boundaries between old and new have blurred and it is easier to imagine the city as split into five geographic zones (North, South, East, West, Central). The greater metropolitan area is referred to as the National Capital Region (NCR), and includes satellite cities such as Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.
North Delhi
North Delhi consists of a substantial part of Old Delhi and has some of Delhi’s oldest and most densely populated areas. It’s also home to old Mughal monuments such as the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Darya Ganj, Sarai Rohilla, Kishan Ganj, Subzi Mandi, Model Town, Pitampura and Civil lines are some of the most popular localities. Azadpur Mandi in North Delhi is the central place from where fruits and vegetables are transported to different parts of Delhi and other neighbouring states. North Delhi has vast network of buses and railway terminals. The Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and the Old Delhi Railway Station are located here.
South Delhi
South Delhi is a blend of ancient and New Delhi with neighborhoods that range from congested villages such as Munirka to upscale neighborhoods, including Greater Kailash, Defence Colony, and Vasant Vihar. South Delhi is characterized by new buildings, posh housing societies, good shopping complexes, and sprawling shopping malls. It also has Delhi’s best stores, hotels, infrastructure, markets, restaurants and nightspots.
East Delhi
East Delhi or Trans-Yamuna area is the region of Delhi that falls on the eastern side of the Yamuna river. It comprises Preet Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Gandhi Nagar, Vivek Vihar, and Shahadara and is bordered by Uttar Pradesh border and the satellite cites of Noida and Ghaziabad.
West Delhi
West Delhi is largely a residential area, famous for its markets and innumerable restaurants and eateries. Dwarka, Janakpuri, Punjabi Bagh, West Patel Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Shalimaar Bagh, Punjabi Bagh and Rohini are some of the main localities of West Delhi.
Central Delhi
Central Delhi is the heart of India’s government and one of the cleanest and greenest parts of the city. It’s home to many historical monuments (Jantar Mantar, St James Church, India Gate, Connaught Place).
NCR
The NCR encompasses the satellite towns of Faridabad and Gurgaon in Haryana, and Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. The origin of NCR can be traced to 1962, when the first Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) conceived development of a broad area consisting of the Union Territory of Delhi and a few ring towns to reduce the population pressure on Delhi, and to allow for expansion and better infrastructure to meet demands from corporate bodies and government establishments.
Gurgaon and Noida have become important commercial centers and have attracted many international and domestic companies. Both are well-connected to Delhi by metro, and many people live in Delhi and commute to their offices in these satellite cities.
