The Growth of Noida: A Story of Achievements And Challenges

Noida, a city near Delhi, has gone through an interesting journey of growth and challenges. This city was created to solve some big problems Delhi was facing, like overcrowding, pollution, and lack of space for industries. Over the years, Noida has changed from a small rural area to a bustling industrial town.

But like any place that grows quickly, Noida has also faced its share of problems. In this article, we will look at the history of Noida’s growth, the plans that were made, and the challenges that the city still faces.

Why Noida Was Built : The Need for Change

In the 1980s, Delhi, the capital city of India, was growing very fast. Many people from different parts of India moved to Delhi in search of jobs. This led to a huge increase in the population. By 2001, Delhi had a population of about 13.2 million people.

The growth was mainly due to people moving from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The city became overcrowded, and there was not enough space to build houses or industries.

Delhi also had another problem: pollution. Many factories were set up in residential areas, which made the air dirty and the environment unhealthy. The government realized that something needed to be done to fix these problems.

How was Noida created? 

To solve the problems of overcrowding and pollution in Delhi, the government decided to create a new town on the outskirts of Delhi. This new town would have industries, housing, and all the things a growing city needs, without the problems Delhi was facing. The new town was called Noida, which stands for New Okhla Industrial Development Authority.

Noida was officially created on April 17, 1976, when the government of Uttar Pradesh decided to develop 36 villages in the area. The goal was to take industries that were causing pollution in Delhi and move them to Noida. The new town was also supposed to provide affordable housing for people who couldn’t afford to live in Delhi.

The Plan for Noida’s Development

The plan for Noida was to create a well-organized city with a mix of industries, residential areas, and green spaces. The first plan for Noida was made in 1978, and it was designed to provide jobs to thousands of people and house around 375,000 people by 2011.

However, the plan faced criticism because the plots of land for industries were too big, and the number of workers expected to work in these industries was too low.

To fix this problem, the planners revised the plan. They decided to build more industries in the same area and increase the number of workers. This change increased the population estimate to 1 million people by 2011.

Political Events That Shaped Noida’s Growth

There were also political events that affected the development of Noida. One of the most important events was the National Emergency declared in 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During the emergency, the government took strict actions to deal with issues like overcrowding and pollution.

Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi, played a key role in planning the relocation of industries and people from slums. Noida was part of this plan, and the idea was to move the polluting industries from Delhi to Noida. However, after the National Emergency was lifted in 1977, the political situation changed.

The new government was less focused on the aggressive development plans. This led to delays in the approval of the Noida Master Plan, and the first Master Plan was not approved until 1983.

Growth and Changes in Noida’s Development

Even though there were delays, Noida’s development continued. By the 1991 census, Noida had grown rapidly. Its population went up to 146,514, which was four times more than in 1981. The growth continued, and by 1995, the population had reached 211,534.

However, Noida’s population did not reach the target set by the National Capital Region (NCR) plan. The original target for Noida’s population by 2001 was 550,000, but the city didn’t meet that target. The reasons for this were that other cities, like Gurgaon, were developing faster, and Noida faced problems like poor infrastructure, such as a lack of water, sewerage, and electricity.

A Change in Noida’s Economy

Noida’s economy started as an industrial town, with a focus on small-scale industries. By 1998, there were over 3,000 small industries in Noida, providing jobs to 86,000 people. The industries focused on things like garments, paper products, and machinery.

But as India’s economy opened up in the 1990s, bigger industries started moving to other places. This made it harder for Noida to attract as many industries as it had planned for.

However, Noida’s economy still grew, and more people started moving there for jobs. The city also became a popular place for people working in offices. The development of better roads and transport links, like the Noida Toll Bridge, made it easier for people to commute to Delhi and other nearby cities for work.

The Issue of Land Use in Noida

As Noida grew, it had to deal with the problem of land use. In the early stages of planning, most of the land was set aside for industrial purposes. In fact, by 1998, about 25% of Noida’s land was used for industries. This meant that there wasn’t enough land for other things like commercial buildings, schools, or parks.

The government realized this and started planning for more residential and commercial spaces. By 2021, they hoped to expand the city further, making it a balanced mix of industries, homes, businesses, and leisure spaces.

The Challenges of Pollution and Environment

One of the main reasons Noida was created was to reduce pollution in Delhi. However, Noida still faces environmental challenges. The city is located near the Yamuna River and has to deal with issues like flooding, poor drainage, and water contamination. The drainage system in Noida is not very effective, and sewage often mixes with stormwater, causing pollution.

Noida also struggles with water supply. The water comes mainly from underground tube wells, but the quality is poor. The water is salty and can cause problems for household appliances. Many people in Noida rely on bottled water for drinking.

The Social Side of Noida: Rural to Urban Transformation

Noida started as a rural area, but over time, it changed into an urban city. As Noida grew, many of the rural villages around it also started to change. Some of these villages became commercial centers, while others grew rapidly as more people moved there.

However, the growth of these villages did not always come with better infrastructure. For example, only 55% of urban villages had primary schools, and very few had high schools. Many of the people who moved to Noida came from rural areas and didn’t have access to good education or healthcare.

The Problem of Transportation and Accessibility

Noida is well-connected by roads to Delhi and other nearby cities. Major roads like NH-2 and the FNG Expressway make it easy for people to travel in and out of the city. The construction of a railway link is also being planned, which will make travel even easier.

However, there are concerns that, in the future, the Yamuna River bridges might become crowded, making travel difficult. The city might need new transportation systems, like a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), to handle the growing population.

Noida’s Governance Issues

Noida does not have its own local government. It is controlled by bureaucrats appointed by the Uttar Pradesh state government. This means that the residents of Noida don’t have much say in how the city is run. This has caused problems because Noida’s development has been slower than other cities like Gurgaon, which has had more private sector involvement in its growth.

Conclusion: The Future of Noida

Noida has come a long way from being a small rural area to a busy industrial city. While it has faced many challenges, such as pollution, overcrowding, and slow development, the city is still growing. It continues to attract industries and people from nearby regions, and its proximity to Delhi helps its development.

In the future, Noida is expected to become a more balanced city, with better infrastructure and more commercial and recreational spaces. However, to achieve this, the city will need to address its environmental problems, improve its governance, and ensure that its growth is sustainable.