4 'NAMO Cities' Planned For NCR: What Are Greenfield Cities And Where Will They Be Built?

Published 16 June 2026 · local

4 'NAMO Cities' Planned For NCR: What Are Greenfield Cities And Where Will They Be Built? Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 19:56 IST

4 'NAMO Cities' Planned For NCR: What Are Greenfield Cities And Where Will They Be Built? Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 19:56 IST Haryana CM Saini said proposals had been invited from states for the development of four new greenfield cities along the RRTS corridors. Rapid Read In urban planning, a greenfield city refers to a completely new city built from scratch on previously undeveloped land rather than through the expansion or redevelopment of an existing urban area. (AI-generated photo) Four greenfield cities, to be known as ‘NAMO Cities’, will be developed in the Capital Region (NCR) under the Regional Plan 2041 to promote balanced regional growth and reduce pressure on existing urban centres. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal. According to the Regional Plan 2041, the NCR is expected to become increasingly urbanised over the coming decades, with the urban population projected to reach around 57 per cent by 2031 and 67 per cent by 2041. “In the meeting, it was decided that four greenfield cities will be developed.

These cities will be called ‘NAMO Cities’," Lal told reporters after the meeting. The meeting was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and urban development ministers from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The draft plan outlines a long-term strategy for decentralised urban development through the creation of new economic and residential hubs across NCR states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. What Are Greenfield Cities? In urban planning, a greenfield city refers to a completely new city built from scratch on previously undeveloped land rather than through the expansion or redevelopment of an existing urban area. Such cities are planned before construction begins, with roads, housing, public transport systems, utilities, schools, hospitals and commercial districts designed as part of a comprehensive master plan. The objective is to create modern, well-planned urban centres capable of supporting future population growth while reducing pressure on existing cities. Where Will NAMO Cities Be Built? The government has not yet announced the locations of the four proposed cities. Manohar Lal Khattar said states would submit proposals for potential sites, following which the four cities would be selected through a competitive challenge process.

“States will submit their proposals and these four cities will be selected through a challenge," he said, adding that Rs 5,000 crore would be allocated for the development of the new urban centres. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said proposals had been invited from states for the development of four new greenfield cities along the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors. The emphasis on RRTS connectivity suggests that the new cities could emerge around existing or proposed high-speed regional rail routes connecting Delhi with neighbouring parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. RRTS Corridors In NCR The Regional Rapid Transit System is being developed to improve connectivity across NCR through semi-high-speed rail corridors. At present, the Namo Bharat train operates at speeds of up to 160 kmph on sections of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. The RRTS network is designed to strengthen regional integration by connecting major economic and residential centres through fast, reliable transit links while generating employment and supporting planned urbanisation. Under the Functional Plan on Transport for NCR-2032, eight RRTS corridors have been proposed Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Delhi-Gurugram-Rewari-Alwar Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat Delhi-Faridabad-Ballabhgarh-Palwal Delhi-Bahadurgarh-Rohtak Delhi-Shahdara-Baraut Ghaziabad-Khurja Ghaziabad-Hapur Following the Delhi-Meerut corridor, two other priority corridors are the Delhi-Gurugram-SNB (Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror) line and the Delhi-Panipat line.