Expansion of Delhi: Policy Implications on Urban Villages

Abstract

In relentless growth of National Capital Region many villages have lost their agricultural land to acquisition schemes of government. In a bid to retain the character of these villages, these areas were exempted from city bye laws, resulting in uncontrolled haphazard growth. Study of urban villages in Greater Noida and Gurgaon, indicates that inhabitants of urban villages were unable to find employment in the city as they lacked required skills. Due to high rents in developed areas of surrounding city villagers resort to providing cheap rental areas for migrant workers. Open spaces, village common land, ponds and streets were encroached leading to unhealthy living conditions.