NEW DELHI Centenary of the Capital 1911-2011
Delhi Tourism
NEW DELHI CENTENARY OF THE CAPITAL 1911-2011
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NEW DELHI CENTENARY OF THE CAPITAL 1911-2011
IV
1911-2011
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NEW DELHI 100
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FOREWORD
M ADAN M AH AT TA
A 1969 aerial view of Mehrauli taken from a glider as it is being towed by a bi-plane.
FOREWORD
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NEW DELHI 100
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1911-2011
A Capital Century
A
A HUNDRED YEARS ago, the British monarch King George V chose a dusty field of Delhi to anoint himself the emperor of India. Nobility across India witnessed the colonial jamboree – and from a distance, the ‘natives’ – as the foundation of what is now known as New Delhi was laid. Thirty-six years on, the British empire, the ‘Emperor’ of India and its nobility were all gone. Delhi, as it had for centuries, continued to grow. The planned city of the new Delhi was built on land that belonged to several villages spread between miles of woods and thorny shrub. Some of those villages are now the most expensive, and expansive, parts of town. The new buildings that came up acknowledged the city’s Mughal milieu as well as its colonial context. Wide roads, lined with trees imported from Africa; the viceroy’s residence, now Rashtrapati Bhavan; the signature circular structure of Parliament, then called Council House; the majestic India Gate – all were built before India became independent.
After the British, New Delhi stayed on as the capital of India. The lines and distances that divided the new and old cities became blurred as the city grew in all directions. Acres of keekar trees and shrub gave way to colonies. Immigrants boosted the population and pushed its boundaries. Today, New Delhi is still growing. It has some of the signs of a modern metropolis, it maintains its historicity while struggling to find its new identity. But two things have remained the same. One is change, which has been New Delhi’s constant companion. The other is Hindustan Times, which has chronicled the city for 87 of its 100 years. HT has brought to readers the good, the bad and the ugly of the Capital every morning for all these decades. This coffee table book is an attempt by Hindustan Times to capture some of the key events and landmarks that have come to define what we call New Delhi. Sanjoy Narayan Editor-in-Chief
SANJOY NARAYAN
V
VI
1911-2011
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NEW DELHI 100
A new seat of power is announced, Delhi launches into a building frenzy
008-025
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CONTENTS
From portals of learning to iconic buildings, a new city emerges The new capital rises from the rock and rubble of Raisina Hill
026-053
All for transformation, the city is in a hurry to grow Despite the tremors of Partition, the city looks to reinvent
054-067
068-083
084-095
CONTENTS
City’s skyline is changing, it is metamorphosing into a metropolis
096-109
From humble beginnings to a city of highrises, the capital is changing
110-125
A complete makeover accelerates the city’s development by a decade
126-143
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NEW DELHI 100
Vision of worldclass city rises over the horizon, new history emerges
144-157
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1911-2011
Country’s first city grows and gears itself for the next decade
158-177
VII
1911-1921 THE EIGHTH CAPITAL
On 12 December 1911, in a grand ceremony, King George V and Queen Mary announced the shifting of the capital. A sprawling camp was set up and at the centre was an elaborate two-tier pavilion. The royal couple reached the amphitheatre in an open carriage. The ceremony
included a 101-gun salute, parades, homage by rulers of princely states, distribution of medals and a proclamation. An Indian prince is seen paying homage to the royal couple.
C EN T R A L P R ES S/ H U LTON A R C H IV E/ G ET T Y IM AG ES
010
1911-1921
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T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
A new seat of power is announced, Delhi launches into a building frenzy PERSON OF THE DECADE LORD HARDINGE He planned and organized the Delhi Durbar and his policies in India helped fill the British coffers with money for World War I.
I
GE TTY IM AGES
TRIVIA ‘BLED WHITE’ In the wake of World War I, Lord Chelmsford summoned a war conference to garner support and proof of India’s fidelity to the empire. During the war, total expenditure incurred was 127,800,000 pound sterling and by 31 May 1918, 500,000 army personnel were fighting at the front with 101,439 casualties. JEWELS IN THE CROWN The Imperial Crown of India, worn by King George V at the Durbar, was designed by Londonbased The Garrard & Co and cost 60,000 pounds. Weighing 34.05 ounces, it was set with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and 6,100 diamonds.
19 11
IT WAS ON the morning of 12 December 1911 The arduous task of building the city began that King George V announced the shifting as soon as the king left and took twenty years of the capital of India from Calcutta to New to complete. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Delhi, at the grand Coronation Durbar. The Herbert Baker, two British architects, were foundation stone of the new capital was laid on commissioned to build the new capital. the durbar grounds near present-day Civil Lines Beginning 1912, Delhi saw major area on 15 December 1911. Until then the move, administrative changes. Delhi Municipality’s called Project Sesame, was a closely guarded area and authority were reduced and the secret. British policymakers feared Civil Lines, to which 500 acres were strong opposition, so secrecy was added, was declared a notified area considered paramount. and maintained as a temporary Conflicts of authority capital. The Circuit House was and jurisdiction had arisen refurbished as the Viceregal between the governor of Lodge (now Vice-Chancellor’s Bengal and the governoroffice). The Imperial Council general, which led Lord House (now Old Secretariat Hardinge to bring these or Delhi Vidhan Sabha) differences to the notice of was built at the site of old the secretary of the state Chandrawal village, turning in London. The shift from the area into a seat of Calcutta was also partly authority. dictated by the need to insulate However, Lutyens had to the capital from the revolutionary consider other places. They found fervor in Bengal following the the area in the north low-lying and H U LTON A R C H IVE /G E T T Y I M AG E S partition of the province in 1905 prone to flooding. A site atop the under Lord Curzon. Raisina village, on the south side, was chosen for The reasons that swung the decision of the Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan). shifting in Delhi’s favour were: Delhi was an Meanwhile, Delhi was becoming an important commercial centre and was well- important centre of agitation and campaign connected; it was closer to Shimla, the summer for independence from British rule. Mahatma capital; the British found Delhi weather Gandhi attended the first All-India Khilafat conducive for seven months in a year; above all, conference in Delhi on 23 November 1919 and Delhi was the Mughal capital and the site of two proposed the concept, and technique, of nonImperial durbars, held 1877 and 1903. cooperation for the first time.
MAR 1912
APR 1912
JAN 1912
DEC 1912
JAN 1915
Circuit House constructed as part of the Durbar
Lutyens arrived, elected member of Delhi Planning Commission
First sitting of the Legislative Council was held in the chamber at the Secretariat
The Delhi Conspiracy is hatched
Gandhi returns to India
19 12
19 13
19 14
19 15
19 16
DEC 1911
1912
FEB 1915
The Delhi Durbar is held
Secretariat constructed
Ghadar conspiracy hatched
DEC 1911 George V and Queen Mary arrive in Delhi
19 17
T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
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1911-1921
011
Build up Delhi no doubt, and build it up as well as it should be built up; but let the surpluses, contributions of the people, go at the same time to build up the strength of the people. PANDIT MADAN MOHAN MALVIYA,
on the projected expenditure for New Delhi
C EN T R A L P R ES S/G ET T Y IM AG ES
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DECADE
THE DECADE IN NUMBERS POPULATION
How many people lived in the city in 1911, compared to 2011?
CAPITAL COST
4.14 Lakh in 1911
The amount required to construct the Imperial city after several revisions was Rs 13,07,00,000. The reasons given for rising costs were the diminishing values due to falling exchange rates and rising expenditure owing to the Great War. This had escalated the costs of labour, materials, plant and machinery and freight manifold.
167.53 Lakh in 2011* SOURCE: Delhi Statistical Handbook
DENSITY
How densely was the city populated in 1911, compared to 2011?
279/sq km in 1911
HOTBED OF NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT Mahatma Gandhi attended the first Khilafat Conference and proposed non-cooperation for the first time on 23 November 1919 in Delhi. The resolutions to boycott British goods, noncooperation and to send a deputation to England to make the public aware of Indian
19 17
200/sq km
11297/sq km in 2011* SOURCE: Economic Survey of Delhi 1999-2000 & Delhi Statistical hand Book 2011
DELHI CONSPIRACY CASE Lord Hardinge was injured in a bomb attack, known as the Delhi Conspiracy Case, on 23 December 1912 at Chandni Chowk during a state procession. The early days of Hardinge’s administration in India were marked by political unrest and armed revolutionary activities aimed at undoing the partition of Bengal. After a trial Basant Kumar Biswas, Amir Chand and Avadh Behari were indicted.
2 Lakh
GROWTH
How fast did the population grow in 1911, compared to 2011?
0.2% in 1911**
1.66% in 1921**
DELHI DURBAR The grand durbar of 1911 began with the state entry of the royal couple through the Red Fort. The procession moved to the maidan between the fort and the Jama Masjid and then to Chandni Chowk before reaching Kingsway Camp. The site of the durbar was where two durbars were previously held: northwest Delhi. A city of tents came up across 65 sq km, sprawling across present-day Civil Lines to Timarpur, Jahangirpuri, Shalimar Bagh, Ashok Vihar and Model Town.
SOURCE: Census of India and Other Census Reports
LITERACY
What was the rate of literacy in 1911, compared to 2011?
11.69% in 1911**
1%
86.34%
* 2011 provisional data ** Data is calculated based on Urban Population SOURCE: Economic survey of Delhi 2007-08, Delhi Gazetteer & Census of India
foundation stone being laid. The garden is named after Qudsia Begum, wife of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. The begum, a mere dancing girl named Udhambai before becoming the monarch’s third wife, became the de facto regent after Muhammad Shah died in 1748.
grievances were formulated in the house of Sushil Rudra, principal of St. Stephen’s College.
SHOWCASING INDIA An exhibition of India’s arts and crafts was held at the Qudsia Bagh as part of the week-long celebrations of the
19 18
in 2011*
MAR 1919
JUL 1919
1920
Rowlatt Bill passed by Lord Chelmsford in the Secretariat. Provoked outrage
Communal riots in Delhi
Metcalfe House was used to hold sessions of the Council of State
19 19
APR 1919 Brigadier-General Reginald E. H. Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a gathering in a public garden, Jallianwala Bagh, killing nearly 1,500 people
19 20
NOV 1919 All-India Khilafat Conference in Delhi
19 21
19 22
012
1911-1921
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T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
IM AG ES OF EM P IR E/ U N IV ER SA L IM AG ES G R OU P/G ET T Y I M AG E S
C OU RT ES Y IN D IA N R AI LWAYS
Top: An elaborately decked ‘Royal Train’ brought Emperor George V and Queen Mary to the Delhi Durbar. Right: Other Royal guests being welcomed at the Delhi station. A temporary station was built on the Hamilton Road side.
013
Top: The royal couple got an astounding reception. An entourage of British ofďŹ cials, soldiers, 100 princes and nearly one lakh people were present to welcome them. HULTON AR C HI V E/G ET T Y IM AG ES
014
1911-1921
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T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
A two-tier pavilion was constructed for the royal durbar. Carefully crafted, the pavilion combined Indian and colonial styles. The dome on the top was covered with gold plates and the drapes too had intricate gold work. Thrones made of silver were designed specially for the ceremony.
T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
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1911-1921
015
TO P I CAL P R E S S AG E N CY/G E T T Y I M AG E S
016
T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
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1911-1921
C E N T R AL P R E S S/G E T T Y I M AG E S
Right: The five-mile-long royal procession began at the Red Fort and ended at the Imperial Camp, now known as Kingsway Camp, and marked the beginning of the celebrations that cost £9,00,000 then. C EN T ER FOR S OU T H A S I AN S T U D I E S, U N I V E R S I T Y O F CAM BR I D G E /C O U RT E S Y R O L I BO O KS
Right: On 15 December 1911, in another ceremony, the foundation stones of the new capital were laid at the venue of the Durbar, Kingsway Camp. These stones were later placed in the two secretariat buildings on Raisina Hill.
Facing page: On the morning of the appointed day the king and queen appeared on the balcony of the Red Fort. The royal couple were then escorted to the durbar venue by officials, called Pages in their uniforms and princes in full regalia. H U LTO N A RCHIV E /GETTY I MAGES
017
018
1911-1921
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T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
A R IJ IT S EN / H T P H OTO
Top: 1911-1931, when the Imperial government functioned from the new capital Delhi, the Circuit House was refurbished as the Viceregal Lodge. This seat of authority hosted several grand state functions, meetings, ceremonies and parties. Five viceroys operated – Lord Hardinge, Lord Chelmsford, Lord Reading, Lord Lytton and Lord Irwin – from its premises. The building today houses the office of the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University.
Right (top to bottom): Seen in the pictures are the gate of Circuit House, the stables, the reading room and the office of the viceroy.
D E L H I AR C H I V E S
019
Top: The building that offered spectacular views of the Yamuna from its verandah currently houses the ofďŹ ce of Defence ScientiďŹ c Information & Documentation Centre. Left: Metcalfe House, was constructed by Governor Sir Thomas Metcalfe around 1833. While the new capital was still being constructed this building was used to hold sessions of the Council of State, which eventually paved the way for Rajya Sabha. D E L H I AR C H I V E S
020
1911-1921
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T H E E I G H T H C A P I TA L
Top: A temporary secretariat building was constructed for official work in 1912. With a long frontline and two lateral structures, the building is curved like a crescent. Left: The first sitting of the legislative council was held at this temporary Secretariat and the premises were used for official work from 1913 to 1926. D E L H I AR C H I V E S
022
R OYAL I N S T I T U T E O F BR I T I S H AR C H I T EC T S, LO N D O N
Top: The architect duo Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Herbert Baker were appointed to plan the new capital. The architects (Lutyens seen above with George S. C. Swinton) and their teams surveyed the surroundings on an elephant to locate a site suitable for building the capital. Even though the foundation stone was laid at Kingsway Camp the experts rejected the location and finally picked what is currently known as New Delhi in the south side of the city. Left: The last page of the agreement bearing Lutyens’ and Baker’s signatures between the secretary, His Majesty’s government and the two architects.
1932-1941 THE EMERGING CITY
The viceroy and the vicereine are seen leaving in the viceregal carriage (now the presidential carriage) accompanied by the viceroy’s bodyguard, after unveiling the statue of King George V in 1939. The statue was later shifted to the Coronation Park. HULTON AR C HI V E/G ET T Y IM AG ES
056
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
From portals of learning to iconic buildings, a new city emerges PERSON OF THE DECADE LORD IRWIN He was appointed Viceroy of India in 1925. His tenure in India saw national upheaval caused by the Simon Commission, which was boycotted by Indians.
ON 11 FEBRUARY 1931 at 11 a.m., Lord Irwin widened for the growing traffic and arterial formally inaugurated the new capital. To mark roads like Lower Ridge Road, Hailey Road, the event, Irwin inaugurated the four dominion Outer and inner circles of Connaught Place columns – gifts by the Empire’s four dominions: were strengthened. Meanwhile, the work of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. the New Delhi Municipal Committee, set up in It took almost eight years before New 1916, expanded from providing facilities to the Delhi fully emerged. By 1939, the earlier government buildings to monitor and distribute secretariat had become the secretariat of the electricity and water supply. Delhi administration and At the national level, the offices of the Central the freedom movement was government shifted to the at its peak. Delhi stood firmly Central Secretariat – called by the side of the Indian North and South blocks even National Congress and then. The offices of other was subsequently chosen ministries emerged on both as the venue for its session sides of Kingsway. The new of April 1932. In 1937, the city comprised Connaught Delhi Students Federation Place, Parliament House, was founded under the the Government House, inspiration of Comrade the Central Secretariat, Batliwala, a lawyer from the Imperial Hotel and the Bombay who came to Delhi P IB P H OTO D I V I S I O N Claridges Hotel, along with to preside over a labour elite residential colonies. Meanwhile, Delhi’s conference. The federation was instrumental in population also grew as a result of constant creating many freedom fighters for India. Its last migration, increasing by nearly 40 per cent in session was held in January 1940 and was presided 1941 from what it was in 1931. over by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, in what was By the mid-1930s, Connaught Place perhaps his last public appearance in India. redefined the way Delhiites had fun. The shops, On 15 September 1939, the Congress bars and restaurants and theatres took life to a working committee met in Delhi and urged the new level. Bookstores like ED Galgotia and Sons, British government to make the declaration New Book Depot and Amrit Book Company of India’s independence. In the absence of a became literary landmarks of Delhi. positive response, the Congress under the At the same time, the contours of guidance of Mahatma Gandhi launched the the city were changing, its roads were ‘individual satyagraha’.
O
IM AGE S O F E MPI RE/ U NIV E RSA L IMAGES GROUP/ GE TTY IM AGES
BORN SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT The Viceroy of Willingdon inaugurated the administrative building at the Willingdon Aerodrome on 22 February 1936. Renamed Safdarjung airport, it was later abandoned due to its inability to support increasing air traffic. LODI GARDENS On 9 April 1936, the foundation of Lady Willingdon Park, now known as the Lodi Gardens, was laid. Tombs of Muhammad Shah (1444) and Sikandar Lodi (1517) are within the gardens.
19 32
1932
JAN 1936
Shri Ram College of Commerce upgraded to the status of a degree college
Plaza cinema opened to public
19 33
19 34
19 1 9 35 3 5
19 36
19 37
1934
APR 1936
JUN 1936
Old Delhi railway station upgraded
Lodi Gardens built
AIR founded
THE EMERGING CITY
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1932-1941
057
Soldiers! Let your battle cry be – To Delhi, To Delhi! How many of us will individually survive this war of freedom, I do not know. But I do know this, that we shall ultimately win... NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE,
supreme commander of Indian National Army
C OU RT ES Y N D M C
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DECADE
THE DECADE IN NUMBERS POPULATION
How many people lived in the city in 1931, compared to 2011? 2 Lakh 6.36 Lakh in 1931
CONGRESS SESSION AT CHANDNI CHOWK Congress session was held under the clock tower in Chandni Chowk in April 1932, and was attended by 400 delegates. A large number of participents, including then president Madan Mohan Malviya, were arrested en-route. During the session, police was posted on all sides and jailed about 800 people.
KEEP THE FLAME BURNING In 1936, a labour conference was held in Delhi under the chairmanship of Comrade Batliwala, a lawyer from Bombay. Delhi suffered a great loss due to the death of MA Ansari (eminent Congressman) in the same year. On 22 and 23 September 1938, the new All-India Kisan Sabha held its first session in Delhi under the presidency of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati. The All-India Trade Union Congress also met in Delhi on 1 June 1939. In 1940, Shafiq Ahmed was hanged in Delhi jail for the murder of Maulana Mazhar-ud-din, editor of a pro-government publication Allaman.
THE HEART OF DELHI Regal cinema (1932), the first cinema hall in Connaught Place, hosted concerts, theatre groups and ballet
167.53 Lakh in 2011* SOURCE: Delhi Statistical Handbook
DENSITY
How densely was the city populated in 1931, compared to 2011?
429/sq km in 1931
200/sq km
11297/sq km in 2011* SOURCE: Economic Survey of Delhi 1999-2000 & Delhi Statistical hand Book 2011
CONNAUGHT PLACE EMERGES AS THE FASHION DISTRICT
GROWTH
Entertainment centres like Regal, Odeon, Rivoli and Plaza; restaurants like Kwality, United Coffee House, Wenger’s and Davico’s to Roy&James salon, Ranken&Company and Phelps for high-end fashion – Connaught Place defined itself as a prime fashion destination.
How fast did the population grow in 1931, compared to 2011?
1.66% in 1921
2.64% in 1931
3.67% in 1941
SOURCE: Census of India and Other Census Reports
performances. Odeon and Rivoli followed Regal, and Indian Talkie House opened in 1938. Regal was the first to have cinemascope technology.
1 April 1930. On 8 June 1936, the ISBS was renamed All India Radio. On 1 October 1939, the External Service began with a broadcast in Pashto.
INDIA ON AIR
INDIVIDUAL SATYAGRAHA
In British India, broadcasting began in June 1923 with programmes by the Radio Club of Bombay. According to an agreement of 1926, the private Indian Broadcasting Company was authorized to operate two radio stations in Bombay and Calcutta. After the company liquidated, the government took over the broadcasting facilities, beginning the Indian State Broadcasting Service on
From Delhi, Asaf Ali was the first person to offer satyagraha. Freedom fighters of Delhi, namely Aruna Asaf Ali, Yudhvir Singh, Brij Krishan Chandiwala, Jugal Kishore Khanna and Mir Mushtaq Ahmed also participated. Many meetings in Delhi and its surrounding areas were held, to rouse public opinion. It was one of the most powerful demonstrations against British rule.
LITERACY
What was the rate of literacy in 1931, compared to 2011?
14.06% in 1931
1%
86.34%
in 2011*
* 2011 provisional data SOURCE: Economic survey of Delhi 2007-08, Delhi Gazetteer & Census of India
APR 1937
SEP 1938
MAR 1940
1941
Burma separated from India
All-India Kisan Congress held its first session in Delhi
‘Pakistan’ resolution adopted by Muslim League
Air-conditioned coaches introduced in the tri-weekly Delhi Mail between Howrah and Delhi
19 37
19 38
19 39
19 40
MAR 1939
SEPT 1939
Lakshminarayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, inaugurated by Gandhiji
World War II breaks out
19 41
19 42
058
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
The inauguration ceremony of New Delhi was an occasion for much pomp and ceremony which lasted for two weeks. The grand sweep from Rajpath, the dome of Government House looms at the end of the spectrum.
THE EMERGING CITY
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1932-1941
059
R O L I BO O KS - P E R S O N AL C O L L EC T I O N
060
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
C EN T ER FOR S O U T H AS I AN S T U D I E S, U N I V E R S I T Y O F CAM BR I D G E : M E D D C O L L EC T I O N S
THE EMERGING CITY
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1932-1941
061
FOX P H OTO S/ H U LTO N AR C H I V E /G E T T Y I M AG E S
G ET T Y IM AG ES
Top: A photograph of the Connaught Place from across the Central Park. Bottom left: Connaught Place drew its inspiration from the Royal Crescent in the city of Bath, England which, in turn, was broadly drawn from the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
Facing page: A view of an incomplete Connaught Place. Some completed ofďŹ ces and bungalows on the radial roads are also visible. The prominent road bisecting the circular CP is present-day Panchkuian Road on the northwest and continuing as Barakhamba Road on the south-west. Shahjanabad is visible in the top right hand corner.
062
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
P I B P H OTO D I V I S I O N
Plaza theatre, which opened in 1940 in Connaught Place, was extremely popular with Delhiites for its ambience and lively dĂŠcor. Plaza cafeteria served scrumptious
sandwiches and people could swing to live music. The theatre was started with an imported Century projector, the best inclass cinema projection system in those days.
THE EMERGING CITY
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1932-1941
Top: Imperial Hotel, on the Queensway (now Janpath), was India’s most modern and luxurious hotel. The hotel had a unique blend of Victorian, old colonial as well as art-deco style. It was inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936 at a grand ball in the presence of 15,000 guests. Left: Indian National Congress leaders at the Imperial Hotel. C O U RT E S Y I M P E R I AL H OT E L
063
064
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
KE YS TO N E /G E T T Y I M AG E S
Mahatma Gandhi with Pandit Nehru and Vallabhai Patel at Birla House.
066
1932-1941
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THE EMERGING CITY
H T P H OTO
S U S H IL K U M A R / H T P H OTO
Top: Lady Shri Ram College for women, founded in 1956 by Sir Shri Ram in the memory of his wife, has emerged as a centre of excellence. Left: Shri Ram College of Commerce, founded in 1932 by Sir Shri Ram, gave a tremendous boost to the education system. It has remained one of the premier institutes of India.
2002-2011 WORLD-CLASS CITY
A world-class facility, the Delhi Metro ensures reliability and safety. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art airconditioned coaches and its ticketing and passenger control are fully automated. The Delhi metro is one of its kind in South Asia. A picture of the metro at Karol Bagh going past the statue of Lord Hanuman, an integration of the traditional and the modern. RAV E E ND RA N/A FP PHOTO
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2002-2011
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WORLD-CLASS CITY
Country’s first city grows and gears itself for the next decade PERSON OF THE DECADE SHEILA DIKSHIT She started her historic third term as the Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi on 17 December 2008. She served her first term between 1998-2003 and the second term between 2003-2008.
ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2002 Sheila Dikshit, the seeks to make Delhi a global metropolis and a chief minister of Delhi, forwarded to the centre world-class city, where all the people would be a resolution to grant statehood to Delhi. This engaged in productive work with a better quality involved undertaking major institutional and of life, living sustainably. This will, amongst structural reforms, based on broad consensus, other things, necessitate planning and action to to empower the citizens of Delhi through their meet the challenges of population growth and elected representatives and for good governance, in-migration; provision of adequate housing, as befitted the national capital. particularly for the weaker sections of the society; The Centre decided to create a new addressing the problems of small enterprises, state called ‘the State of Delhi’, with particularly in the unorganized informal a special status under article 371 sector; dealing with the issue of slums, of the Constitution that allowed up-gradation of old and dilapidated certain residual powers to areas of the city; provision of remain with the Centre. On 18 adequate infrastructure services; August 2003, accordingly, the conservation of the environment; State of Delhi bill 2003 and preservation of Delhi’s heritage the Constitution (one hundred and blending it with the new and second amendment) bill, and modern complex patterns 2003 were introduced in the of development; and, doing Lok Sabha. The bill was referred all this within a framework of to the standing committee on sustainable development, publichome affairs; however, due to private and community participation the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and a spirit of ownership and a sense A RV IN D YA DAV/ H T P H OTO the bill lapsed. of belonging. New Delhi was able to IBM undertook Delhi achieve major milestones during this decade Government IT Architecture Plan on behalf under the leadership of Sheila Dikshit. The of the city in 2005. A primary purpose of Commonwealth Games upgraded the city’s this project was to determine what, if any, infrastructure. State-of-the-art stadia were common components of Delhi Government’s IT built, as were flyovers including the Barapullah infrastructure could be shared. and Saleemgarh Fort flyover. More than 3,000 This is a decade that witnessed the fruits low-floor buses were put in service. The 190-km of economic liberalization in India particularly Delhi Metro revolutionized Delhi’s transport evident in Delhi, courtesyy of being system. Delhi’s Delhi s 3rd 3 Master Plan-Vision 2021 the country’s first city.
O
A RV IND YA DAV/HT PHOTO
TRIVIA BRT IN DELHI The Delhi Government plans to build 26 Bus Rapid Transit System corridors in Delhi, covering a total length of 310 km by the year 2020. GREEN DELHI By 2002, the forest cover in Delhi had increased from 26 sq km to 88 sq km. In the same year, 1.8 lakh saplings were planted by the forest department.
20 02
20 03
20 04
MAY 2004
MAY 2005
OCT 2005
Congress voted to power, Manmohan Singh becomes PM
Liberty Cinema blast, 1 killed, 50 injured
Serial blasts in Delhi, 62 killed, 155 injured
20 05
2 20 06 0
DEC C 2002 0
MAY A 2 2003 3
MAR A 2 2006 6
DMRC begins journey with 8.5 km and 6 stations
AIIMS clover leaf flyover opens to public
President George W. Bush visits India; India-US sign nuclear agreement
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2010 was a year of celebrations. Games were the cause célèbre ... Delhi truly arrived on the world stage in 2010. SHEILA DIKSHIT, chief minister of Delhi V IR EN D R A S IN G H G OSA IN / H T P H OTO
THE DECADE IN NUMBERS
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DECADE
POPULATION
How many people lived in the city in 2001, compared to 2011? 2 Lakh 138.51 Lakh in 2001
DELHI METRO On 25 December 2002, Delhi received a wonderful gift when commercial operations on the Shahdara-Tis Hazari section began at 6 a.m. On the first day itself, about 1.2 million people turned up to experience this modern transportation system. As the initial section was designed to handle only 0.2 million commuters, long queues formed at all six stations – Shahdara, Welcome, Seelampur, Shastri Park, Kashmere gate and Tis Hazari. The unique feature of Delhi Metro is its integration with other modes of public transport, enabling the commuters to conveniently interchange from one mode to another. To increase ridership of Delhi Metro, feeder buses for metro stations are operating.
167.53 Lakh in 2011* SOURCE: Delhi Statistical Handbook
DENSITY
How densely was the city populated in 2001, compared to 2011?
9340/sq km in 2001
11297/sq km in 2011* SOURCE: Economic Survey of Delhi 1999-2000 & Delhi Statistical hand Book 2011
GROWTH
How fast did the population grow in 2001, compared to 2011?
4.15% in 1991
3.85% in 2001
1.92% in 2011*
COMMONWEALTH GAMES Over 2,000 children enthralled about 60,000 spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as they performed to the tunes of ‘Vande Mataram’ and created a rangoli pattern on the field as part of the Closing Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. As the tune ended, tri-coloured pyrotechnics burst from the roof of the stadium.
FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX The Indian Grand Prix was held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, beginning 30 October 2011 as the 17th race of the 2011 Formula One season. The new race track was officially homologated on 1 September 2011 by Charlie Whiting, FIA race director and the inaugural race was won by Germany’s Sebastian Vettel. The Buddh International Circuit was another major milestone, includes a 100,000-seat cricket
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200/sq km
stadium, 18-hole golf course, 25,000-seat hockey stadium and a sports academy. Indian fans also got to see a local team, Force India Formula One team.
To achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015, the Partners’ Forum in New Delhi launched the
APR 2008
New Master Plan for Delhi notified. Allows mixed land use
BRT corridor from Ambedkar Nagar to Moolchand started
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LITERACY
What was the rate of literacy in 2001, compared to 2011?
81.67% in 2001
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1%
86.34%
Delhi Declaration on 1314 November 2010. The declaration is a way forward in achieving the MDGs in the areas of mother-child healthcare. This meeting in Delhi was particularly significant as it was five years after the 2005 ‘Lives in the Balance’ conference in which the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) was born.
DELHI DECLARATION 2010
FEB 2007
SOURCE: Census of India and Other Census Reports
* 2011 provisional data SOURCE: Economic survey of Delhi 2007-08, Delhi Gazetteer & Census of India
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JUL 2007
DEC 2008
OCT T 2010 0
OCT 2011
Pratibha Patil becomes the first woman President of India
Sheila Dikshit takes oath for the third consecutive term
CWG G games begin b i amidst claims of mismanagement
First Indian F1 Grand Prix in Noida
in 2011*
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AM I T BH AR G AVA/ BLO O M BE R G P H OTO/G E T T Y I M AG E S
Top: The metro’s longest routes stretch from Dwarka Sector 9 to Noida City Centre and Jahangirpuri to Qutub Minar, both 47.3 km long. At 6.25 km, Yamuna Bank to Anand Vihar is the shortest line. The metro has carried over 1.25 billion commuters since its inception.
Facing page: The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi was inaugurated on 6 November 2005. Its design is based on Sthapatya Shastra, an ancient Vedic text. Built in only five years with the help of 11, 000 artisans, the temple is the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple, according to Guniness World Records. AJAY AG G ARWAL / H T P H OTO
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V I P I N KU M AR / H T P H OTO
P T I P H OTO D I V I S I O N
V I P I N KU M AR / H T P H OTO
Sheila Dikshit started her historic third term as the chief minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi on 17 December 2008. She served her ďŹ rst term between 1998-2003 and the second term between 2003-2008. VIRENDRA SINGH GOSAIN/HT PHOTO
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Top: Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, and Sheila Dikshit at the inauguration ceremony of nine-lane AIIMS flyover or Rajiv Gandhi Setu. Left: AIIMS flyover on Ring Road across Aurobindo Marg is a beautifully landscaped signalfree interchange. Also visible in the picture are Vibhor Sogani’s installation art called Sprouts.
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ARV IN D YA DAV/ H T P H OTO
RO N J OY G OG OI/ H T P H OTO
Top & right: Fleet of lowfloor and fuel-efficient buses were introduced in Delhi. Being low floor improves the accessibility of the bus for the public, particularly the elderly or infirm, or those with push chairs or in wheelchairs. Chief Minister Dikshit flags off the fleet. Above: The Delhi government’s ‘Clean Delhi, Green Delhi’ campaign has made the city more environmentlly sustainable and liveable.
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With the emergence of the ‘Great Indian Middle-Class’, malls have mushroomed all over the country, especially in Delhi. The malls house everything from shops selling home appliances and home furnishing to clothes and restaurants. M AYAN K AU S T E N S O O F I / H T P H OTO
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Top: Prince Charles on 3 October 2010 declared the 2010 Commonwealth Games open in a grand and colourful ceremony in Delhi. The games saw a representation of athletes from 71 nations and territories.
Facing page: One of the star attractions of the XIX Commonwealth Games was the helium balloon, world’s largest. The helium blimp was designed as a multi-functional object: a surface for video projections, a reflecting medium through a system of mirrors affixed underneath and an instrument to create spectacular choreographies in the air. AJAY AG G ARWAL / H T P H OTO
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ASHO K N AT H D EY/ H T P H OTO
A stunning laser show and musical extravaganza marked the closing of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, attended by various dignitaries including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. India won an unprecedented 101 medals. MOHD ZAK I R / H T P H OTO
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Top: A candle march at India Gate. A sign of growing public expression in India, many candlelight marches have been held in Delhi. Facing page: Such marches highlight civil society’s grievances ranging from criminal justice to corruption in public service and politics. K AUSHI K ROY/ IN D IA TODAY G R OU P/ GETTY I MAGES
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Top: German-born Sebestian Vettel, driving for Red Bull, won the Grand Indian F1 Grand Prix in 2011. He also won the championship in 2010, becoming the youngest driver to do so. Above: Narain Karthikeyan, ace Indian F1 driver, at the race. He drove for the Hispania Racing team in the Indian Grand Prix.
Left: One of India’s biggest sporting event of 2011, Formula 1 was a roaring success and real boost for the country’s growing automotive sector and millions of racing fans. The 5.1 km long Buddh International Circuit, one of the world’s fastest and most challenging race tracks, has been created at Greater Noida by Charlie Whiting.
A R IJ IT S EN / H T P H OTO
Metro trains run past the Lotus Temple.
REFERENCES
• Proceedings of the Council of the Governor General of India Assembled for the Purpose of Making Laws and regulations Under the provisions of the Indian Councils Acts 1913-1928, Legislative Department, Government of India. • A Gazetteer of Delhi 1883-34, 1988, Vintage Books, Haryana.
• A Gazetteer of the Delhi District 1912, 1992, Vintage Books, Haryana. • Thapliyal, U.P. ed., Gazetteer of Rural Delhi, 1996, Delhi Gazetteer Unit. Government of Delhi. • Chopra, Prabha, Delhi Gazetteer 1976, 1980, Delhi Gazetteer Unit, Government of Delhi. • Balakrishnan, S. and R.S. Sarkaria, Committee on Reorganisation of Delhi Set-up: A Report, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. • Various Debates of the Imperial Council between 1913-1930, Government of India. • Sharma, AK, Prehistoric Delhi and Its Neighbourhood, Aryan Book International, New Delhi. • Master Plans of Delhi, MPD 1962, 1981 and 2021, Ministry of Urban Development, Delhi Division. • Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Metro: A Journey to Remember, Delhi Metro.
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• Report of the Committee to Review the Structure and Working of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 2001, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. • Report on the Fifth Economic Census 2005 in Delhi, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Government of NCT of Delhi. • Delhi Statistical Handbook, 2011, Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of NCT of Delhi. • Constituent Assembly Debates (Proceedings), 194650, Government of India. • Reports of the NCR Planning Board, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. • Report of the Delhi Police Commission, 1966-68, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. • 2010 Working Report of Government of NCT Delhi, Directorate of Information & Publicity, Government of NCT of Delhi. • Concept\Draft 12th Five Year Plan of Delhi, Government of Delhi. • New Delhi: Making of a Capital. 2009. Singh Malvika, Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Pramod Kapoor New Delhi, Roli Books.
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NEW DELHI Centenary of the Capital 1911-2011
Delhi Tourism
Endam quiberro to omnis et fugiati ullibeatus maximincium imin nusa sintiumendi ommolorunt ventotat. Ur ad untotatur? Lorempe rferitas untis quiam, simaiore pre magnam volore, odia quamus coribus trumquianis dolent liciae nimaxim illabor soluptis rerum fuga. Tem quas volora natur, conemporion et aliquis ipsunt am que que nost, abo. Namus dolupic atiatenest ut mi, omnist vit, in ne si blacepr ereribus. Sequis et quibus, optatem dolorum quo imporro es eatum quam rat adi acerum ium quibus cus volor maiossitiis et pro im aute velectem que il mil everupt assimo earcia con es et, ut re liquiaspe cus, soloreped unt unt quid quidusdae pra dit quidit