Namo Cities – NCR Regional Plan 2041

Why in News?

Recently, The meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) approved the proposal to develop four semi‑greenfield Namo Cities under the Regional Plan‑2041.

• Regional Plan 2041 – Multi‑state growth blueprint approved by NCRPB.
• Coverage – Governs land use, housing, transport, environment across 55,083 sq.km including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan.
• Population Projection – Significant rise from 7.86 crore (2026) to 14.73 crore by 2041.
• Urbanisation – Expected to rise to 67% by 2041.
• Growth Hotspots – Sonipat, Meerut, Jewar, Bhiwadi, Alwar identified as future centres.

Namo Cities

• Nature – Semi‑greenfield, mixed‑use, Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD) cities.
• Location – Proposed along Namo Bharat (RRTS) stations.
•  The 4 cities are mandated to be distributed equally — one each across the four states (Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan).

Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) - It is a semi-high-speed, high-frequency regional rail network designed to connect major cities with nearby satellite towns at speeds up to 160 km/h.

• Objective – Create self‑sustaining settlements with local employment hubs, housing, and civic infrastructure to reduce dependence on Delhi.

Key Features

• 30‑Minute NCR – Vision to connect jobs, homes, and services within half an hour through RRTS, metro, highways, and rail networks.
• Green Cover Incentives – States to be incentivised to expand canopy cover using green credits and Special Development Rights (SDRs).
• Urban Design – Rationalisation of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and Floor Space Index (FSI) around transit corridors to unlock housing and commercial supply.
• Integration – Linked with major assets like Noida International Airport, Yamuna Expressway, Dwarka Expressway, and expanding metro/RRTS networks.

References

1. PIB | NAMO
2. NDTV | NAMO