Delhi - Background
Delhi is center of National Capital Region, an interstate urban area, planned to release the increasing growth performance pressure on the city. Delhi is located in the heart of North India. It is bordered by Haryana from three sides and Uttar Pradesh from one. Delhi is on the bank of Yamuna river. Hindon river, a tributary of Yamuna River, separates Delhi from Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh). The Delhi ridge (part of Aravali Range) is prominent feature of the city. It reaches the height of 318 meters. Delhi lies in the region of seismic zone-IV, which indicates vulnerable to major earthquakes. With more than 20% tree cover, Delhi is greenest city in India.
Initially, there were only one district in Delhi. In 1997, the city-state was divided into nine district, and by 2012, there are eleven districts in Delhi. Delhi has unique government structure. As a Union Territory, Delhi is directly controlled by Central Government of India, but as a partial state, Delhi has legislative assembly and Chief Minister. Delhi is also the seat of Supreme Court of India.
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airpot, with an average footfall of 37 million passengers annually, is the busiest airport in India and South Asia. Safdarganj Airpott, now used for only VVIP transport, is the first airpot of Delhi. The authorities closed the Airport for public following 2001 New York terror attacks. In terms of road, Delhi has the highest road density in India, at 2103 km/100 km². Delhi has one of the India's largest bus system. Delhi Transport Corporation owns largest fleet of CNG buses. Delhi is a major junction of Indian railway and headquarters of Northern Railway zone. There are five main railway stations in Delhi: New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar, and Sarai Rohilla.
Delhi has largest Metro system in the country. It is also the 12th largest metro system in the world. Started operating from 2002, Delhi Metro is also second-oldest metro system in India after Kolkata Metro (1985). Delhi Metro is the first Indian Metro Rail system who received the ISO certificate for efficient energy management.
With total city population of 11 million, it is second most populated city in India after Mumbai.Delhi is the second wealthiest city after Mumbai with total wealth USD 450 Billion, and 18 billionaires and 23000 millionaires. According to 2011 Census, the population of Delhi is 16,787,941. Due to urbanization, Delhi urban area, now includes Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad. Resulting, total population of 26 million people. These numbers also make Delhi the third largest Urban area in the world, after Tokyo-Yokohoma and Jakarta.
Hinduism is predominant religion, followed by Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Buddhism. Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali and English are major languages of Delhi.
The myriad faces of the city are simply fascinating. In some places it remains a garden city, tree lined and with beautiful parks, but in some places it can also be crowded with heavy traffic. Turbaned Sikhs, colourfully dressed Rajasthani and Gujarati women working in offices, Muslim shopkeepers along Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, Tibetans and Ladakhis in the street stalls along Janpath and Kashmiris in the handicraft emporia around Connaught Place, all add to the cosmopolitan feel of the city. Soaring skyscrapers, posh residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes can be seen along with the ancient historical monuments. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. Despite the huge green cover, Delhi was rated most polluted city in 2014. According to one estimate, air pollution causes 10500 deaths in Delhi per year.
The Red Fort, more popularly known as The Lal Quila (Lal ie.red and Quila ie.fort), stands strong on the banks of the river Yamunaas an irregular octagon. It is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 Kilometers in circumferance and is built of Red Sandstone. The Mughalking Shah Jahan (popular for building the Taj Mahal of Agra) transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi and the fort was completed in 1648, nine years after the king shifted to this city. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market.
India Gate, a memorial to the unknown soldier, was designed by Lutyens. The 42 meter high structure is a war memorial in honour of the soldiers who died during the second world war. The imposing structure from where stretch massive lush green lawns has an eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) to honour the memory of the unknown soldiers. India Gate, prominently located in the vicinity of Rastrapati Bhavan, is a major crowd puller during the hot summer evenings of Delhi by virtue of its lush green lawns.
Psarliament House is a marvellous piece of architecture where the bicameral legislature of India meets for its sessions. Lok sabha, the lower house and Rajya Sabha the upper house. Close to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, is a domed almost circular structure almost a kilometer in circumferance, and was designed by the famed architect Lutyens. It is the seat of the Indian Parliament and during the sessions of Parliament there is a flurry of activity in and around the structure.
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