Dwarka, Delhi Explained

Dwarka, Delhi
Settlement Type:Neighborhood of Delhi
Pushpin Map:India Delhi
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in India
Coordinates:28.5845°N 77.0492°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Delhi
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:South West Delhi
Leader Name1:Vinay Mishra, MLA-Dwarka
Gulab Singh, MLA-Matiala
Leader Title1:Members of the Legislative Assembly
Leader Name2:Rahul Singh, IAS
Leader Title2:District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner
Named For:Dwarka
Government Type:Municipal Corporation
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:56.48
Population Total:1200000
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Hindi, English
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:110075, 110077, 110078
Blank1 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank1 Info Sec1:Gurugram
Blank2 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:West Delhi
Blank3 Name Sec1:Vidhan Sabha constituency
Blank3 Info Sec1:Dwarka/Matiyala (Different sectors fall in different constituencies)
Blank4 Name Sec1:Civic agency
Blank4 Info Sec1:DDA

Dwarka[1] is a neighbourhood located in Southwestern edge of Indian Capital New Delhi in South West Delhi district of the NCT of Delhi. The district court that functions under the Delhi High Court for South West Delhi is located in Dwarka.

The sub-city is close to Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Millenium City of Gurugram in Haryana in the NCR region. It is among the largest sub-city in Asia. Dwarka is organized into sectors and mainly has Cooperative Group Housing Societies as residential options. It is one of the most sought-after residential areas in Delhi.[2] [3] The sub-city also has the largest rooftop solar plant in the Union territory of Delhi.[4] [5]

In January 2017, the Cabinet of India approved Dwarka to be the second Diplomatic Enclave[6] [7] for 39 countries on 34 hectares,[8] after Chanakyapuri.[8] [9] [10] In 2016, the Cabinet of India, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved 89.72 hectares of land for an Exhibition-cum Convention centre,[11] [12] estimated to cost .[13]

Dwarka is being developed as a smart city under Delhi Development Authority's ‘smart sub-city’ project.[14] Dwarka (Delhi Assembly constituency) and Matiala (Delhi Assembly constituency) both represent Dwarka sub-city and are one of the 70 Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Delhi.

History

Origins

Dwarka is named after the legendary Dwaraka Kingdom. It is a short distance away from Gurgaon which is a major hub for large national and multinational corporations in the country and about 10 km away from Indira Gandhi International Airport. With the opening up of the Airport Express Line in 2011,[15] the travel time from the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station to Airport was reduced to less than 10 minutes.

Some parts of modern-day Dwarka historically came under the colony of Pappankalan, which are now being developed under the 'Urban Expansion Projects' of the Delhi Development Authority.[16]

A small baoli, discovered five years ago in Dwarka, has been restored and could become a tourist attraction. An elaborate conservation project by the India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) for the Lodi-era baoli was completed recently. Dwarka Baoli (also known as Loharehri Baoli) is a historical stepwell recently discovered in Dwarka Sub City, in South West Delhi, India. It was constructed for the residents of Loharehri village by the Sultans of the Lodi Dynasty in the early 16th century. Dwarka now stands where the Loharehri village once stood.

21st century

In 2019, Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh inaugurated India's first[17] National Cyber Forensic Lab which is part of the National Cyber Coordination Centre and Cyber Protection Awareness and Detection Center (Cypad) of Delhi Police in Dwarka. The Election Commission of India has established India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management campus in Dwarka. The National Highways Authority of India headquarters, an autonomous agency of the Government of India, set up in 1988 is located in Dwarka.

The Ministry of External Affairs owns the MEA Housing Complex in Dwarka, for the housing of its officials and diplomats. The Government of Delhi has approved the construction of Indira Gandhi Hospital, a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, which will cost and will be spread over 24 acres, to be operational from the year 2020.[18] The Punjab National Bank opened its new corporate head office in Dwarka in 2018.

In 2020, Manipur Bhavan is being built in Dwarka by Government of Manipur.[19] In 2021, as per media reports Government of Bihar built Bihar Sadan in Dwarka.

Politics

It is part of the Dwarka, Delhi Assembly constituency. Vinay Mishra of Aam Aadmi Party is the MLA since 2015.

Geography

Ecology

Dwarka lies on the banks of Sahibi River, a tributary of Yamuna which originates from the Aravalli range in Rajasthan and flows through west and South Haryana into Delhi where it is also known as the Najafgarh drain.

Cityscape

Parks

Delhi Development Authority is currently planning to establish Bharat Vandana Park,[20] to be spread over 220 acres in sector 20.[21]

Culture

Sports

See main article: DDA International Sports Complex. Dwarka is home to a sports complex (DDA Sports Complex) in Sector 11 with facilities such as Tennis (Clay & Hard Courts), Badminton including covered Badminton Hall, Table Tennis, Billiards / Snooker / Pool, Basket Ball, Volleyball, Jogging Track, Cricket, Cricket Practice Pitches, Multigym, Skating, Snack - Bar, Pro - Shop, Tennis Practice wall, Squash, Children Park, Yoga, Karate, Swimming Pool with Toddler Pool.The Delhi Development Authority is planning to create an 18-hole state-of-the-art golf course over an area of 173 acres in Sector 24.[22] [23] [24] [25]

Location

Currently, the Dwarka Sub-City (Sector 1 to 29) is divided into 5 MCD Wards: 135 - Kakraula, 136 - Matiala, 141 - Bijwasan, 145 - Palam, and 147 - Mahavir Enclave. Dwarka is divided into three Assembly Constituencies i.e. AC-34 Matiala, AC-36 Bijwasan, AC-37 Palam. It is also divided into two Parliamentary constituencies i.e. West Delhi and South Delhi. The area of Dwarka Sub-city as per DDA records is 5648 Hectares. The population density is around 160–200 per H A. Road length in Dwarka is 396 km.

Social issues

Sanitation

See also: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The irregularity in transportation of garbage and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation failing to clean Dwarka,[26] has recently caused the sub-city to face a severe sanitation crisis.[27] The Delhi High Court has been looking into the issue of lack of sanitation and cleaning in Dwarka since 2014.[28] [29] Civic agencies such as DDA and the municipal corporation have blamed Dwarka filth on ‘lack of civic sense’.[30]

In February 2020, Delhi High Court directed South Delhi Municipal Corporation and DDA to provide a healthy and safe environment to residents of the sub-city.[31]

Crime

Two new police districts were proposed in 2016 to increase security.[32] Dwarka sub-city, which earlier came under one police station, has been now split up between three police stations – Dwarka North, Dwarka South and Dwarka West.

Transportation

Cultural hub

Dwarka sub-city is emerging as a cultural hub of southwest Delhi. There are different music and dance clubs present. Shopping centres have come up in the five-star hotels and another one next to Sector 12 metro station which hosts few eateries and places to hang out.

In 2019, Vegas Mall, a commercial complex was inaugurated. It consists of a shopping mall, movie theatre, corporate offices and various restaurants spread over an area of 7 acres. The architecture of Vegas Mall was designed by Bentel Associates International, Johannesburg, SA.[33]

In 2018, Pacific India was selected to develop a shopping mall and multi-level car parking at the Dwarka Sector 21 metro station.[34]

Mixed land use concept

DDA has implemented a unique concept of Mixed Land Use (MLU) in Dwarka. Most of the DDA housing clusters in Dwarka have commercial buildings nearby. In many sectors, approximately 80% of a plot is used for residential flats and the remaining 20% for commercial use. This unique MLU concept is convenient for the occupants of Dwarka DDA flats, as they get the facility of shopping, dining and purchasing groceries nearby.

Social infrastructure

The sub-city has been planned for an environment of convenience containing essential facilities and services at different levels - mainly health, education, hotel, safety and security, cultural, and communication etc. Two malls recently opened one at the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro Station and another near the Dwarka Sector 14 metro station.[35]

Education

The sub-city is well-equipped with multiple elementary and higher secondary schools.

Universities and Colleges

Faculty of Law, University of Delhi is planning a new campus[36] in Dwarka and will be building hostels for students and residential quarters for staff members.[36]

National Law University, Delhi and Netaji Subhas University of Technology are located in Dwarka. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, has its main campus located in Dwarka Sector 16-C. The campus houses University School of Law and Legal Studies and University School of Management Studies, among others. The university has around 120 affiliated colleges located in the NCR.

Along with engineering and law institutes like Bhaskaracahrya College of Applied Sciences, University School of Chemical Technology (GGSIPU), University School of Information, Communication and Technology (GGSIPU), Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College,[37] [38] Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and National Law University, Delhi.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: When Dwarka was Pappankalan.... The Hindu. 30 July 2006 . 26 April 2017.
  2. News: Dwarka could be your next dream destination . The Hindu.
  3. News: Sub-cities to act as counter-magnets . The Times of India.
  4. News: Delhi's largest solar plant at Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station. . 12 August 2014 . 2 November 2016.
  5. News: Dwarka Sector-21 metro station goes green, platform lit up with solar power. . 12 August 2014 . 2 November 2016.
  6. Web site: Cabinet approves transfer of land in Sector 24, Dwarka, New Delhi from DDA to L&DO for the proposed Second Diplomatic Enclave. Prime Minister of India. 4 January 2017.
  7. Web site: Govt approves transfer of land for Second Diplomatic Enclave. 4 January 2017 . 4 January 2017.
  8. Web site: Dwarka diplomatic enclave to be modelled on Shanti Path. 2 November 2016.
  9. Web site: Second diplomatic enclave: DDA says ready to allot land. 16 June 2015.
  10. News: DDA-MEA stalemate over enclave at Dwarka. . 15 June 2015 . 16 June 2015.
  11. Web site: World class State-of-the-Art Exhibition-cum Convention Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi. 31 March 2016.
  12. Web site: Government of India gives nod to world-class exhibition centre. 24 March 2016 . 31 March 2016.
  13. Web site: Biggest Expo Centre in Asia all set to come up in Dwarka; the numbers are truly massive. The Financial Express. 29 August 2017.
  14. News: DDA to turn Dwarka into smart sub-city. . 3 August 2016 . 2 November 2016.
  15. Web site: Airport Express line: Another Star in Dwarka's Success. 5 June 2011.
  16. Web site: Urban Extension Projects. Delhi Development Authority. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070321180359/http://www.dda.org.in/planning/dwarka.htm. 21 March 2007. dmy-all.
  17. Web site: Dwarka to house India's first hi-tech forensic lab. . 21 January 2019.
  18. News: Dwarka's long wait for hospital to end in 2020. . March 2019 . 3 March 2019.
  19. Web site: How about the Salt Lake Manipur Bhavan?: Land acquired at Dwarka. 14 January 2020.
  20. Web site: 220 acre Bharat Vandana park in Dwarka sub-city gets green clearance. The Hindustan Times. 3 March 2021 . 25 June 2021.
  21. News: DDA plans 'iconic park' in Dwarka. The Hindu. 14 November 2016 . 3 December 2016.
  22. Web site: DDA plans Dwarka golf course, 100 new gyms. The Asian Age. 25 April 2017 . 26 April 2017.
  23. Web site: DDA plans country's longest golf course at Dwarka Sector-24. The Indian Express. 14 June 2014 . 26 April 2017.
  24. Web site: Dwarka to get golf course soon. Hindustan Times. 12 February 2013 . 26 April 2017.
  25. Web site: Coming: 18-hole golf course in Dwarka. Hindustan Times. 27 January 2012 . 26 April 2017.
  26. Web site: Can't even clean Dwarka, and we speak of Swachh Bharat. The Indian Express. 22 January 2015 . 29 November 2016.
  27. News: Waste Land – Swachh flops, roads turn bins in Dwarka. The Times of India. 9 August 2016 . 29 November 2016.
  28. Web site: Garbage in Dwarka: HC issues notices to DDA, SDMC, Delhi Police. The Indian Express. 25 November 2016 . 29 November 2016.
  29. News: Unhappy public will beat you up: HC warns officials. The Hindu. 17 November 2016 . 29 November 2016.
  30. News: Agencies blame Dwarka filth on 'lack of civic sense'. The Hindu. 27 July 2016 . 29 November 2016.
  31. News: Provide healthy and safe environment to Dwarka residents: Delhi high court to SDMC, DDA. The Times of India. 14 February 2020 . 24 February 2020.
  32. News: Two new police districts proposed to increase policing efficiency. Pioneer. The. The Pioneer. 2018-10-10. en.
  33. Web site: Vegas Mall. 2021-12-12. www.vegasmall.in.
  34. Web site: Pacific bags Rs 100 cr shopping mall project in Delhi's Dwarka from DMRC. The Economic Times. 8 May 2018.
  35. Web site: Best Website & App Development Company in Delhi - Livertigo Web Solution.
  36. News: Delhi University to buy DDA flats, build hostels. The Times of India. 2 March 2017 . 8 March 2017.
  37. Web site: DDUC to shift to new Dwarka campus by mid-June. 14 June 2016.
  38. News: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College gets a new campus - The Hindu. The Hindu. 21 July 2016.