COMMERCIAL EXPANSION
Haryana's Namo City Pitch to Delhi Traders Gains Fresh Coverage Amid Skepticism
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met representatives of 26 Delhi trade associations at Haryana Bhawan in the capital and made a direct pitch: shift your business to Haryana, where the state promises wide roads, modern infrastructure and hassle-free approvals. Nearly 400 trader representatives from Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Khari Baoli, Nehru Place, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace and Azadpur showed interest in the proposal.
| Project size | 5,000 acres (approximately) |
|---|---|
| Location | Sonipat district, on the outskirts of Delhi, building on the area's existing industrial base |
| Trade associations engaged | 26 Delhi associations represented |
| Trader representatives interested | Nearly 400 (as of June 29 meeting) |
| Dry fruit plots acquired (Amritsar) | Around 280 plots already purchased |
| Dry fruit plots acquired (Ludhiana) | Roughly 180 plots purchased |
| Government incentives offered | Customised incentive packages, employment-linked incentives, single-window clearances and time-bound approvals |
| Design philosophy | Designed for the next 50 years with wide roads for smooth traffic movement and green spaces, unlike Delhi's cramped wholesale markets |
What Haryana Announced
Namo City is a proposed township spread over nearly 5,000 acres that will house both commercial establishments and public facilities. Haryana intends to develop a large commercial market and industrial ecosystem in areas adjoining Delhi, giving traders the space that Delhi's markets no longer have.
The announcement came during a June 29 meeting at Haryana Bhawan where CM Saini met representatives of 26 Delhi trade associations from major wholesale markets including Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, and Khari Baoli.
Why Now: The Delhi Market Problem
Delhi's Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk face acute congestion. Narrow lanes built for handcarts and cycle-rickshaws are choked with delivery vans, e-rickshaws and parked vehicles. For traders dealing in bulky items, like iron, marble or electronics, loading and unloading goods can take hours.
Industries Minister Rao Narbir Singh said Delhi's markets are bursting at the seams and that Haryana is building dedicated industrial clusters to give traders the facilities they need.
Early Momentum: Traders Already Buying
The proposal has already attracted investment. Dry fruit traders from Khari Baoli have already picked up around 280 plots in Haryana, while traders from the Ludhiana dry fruit market have taken roughly 180 plots, signalling that the shift has already begun even before the new township is fully ready.
At the June 29 meeting, nearly 400 trader representatives showed interest in the proposal.
What the Government Offers
The government is offering customised incentive packages, employment-linked incentives, single-window clearances and time-bound approvals to investors. The market will be designed keeping the next 50 years in mind, with wide roads for smooth traffic movement and green spaces, unlike Delhi's cramped wholesale markets.
Industries Minister Rao Narbir Singh cited Haryana's law and order record, road connectivity, and the fact that 14 of Haryana's districts fall within the NCR region as reasons traders should consider relocating.
Skepticism from Delhi Trade Bodies
Sanjay Bhargava, President of the Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapaar Mandal, said: "Nobody has notified us that our market is shifting." Traders say Haryana's proposal remains just that, a proposal. Whether it develops into an alternative wholesale hub will depend on the details that emerge in the coming months.
Chandni Chowk traders said they were not opposed to the idea of an alternate commercial hub if it helped ease pressure on the historic market, noting that "warehouses can be shifted elsewhere" while "trading offices can continue in the old city."
Broader Regional Plan Context
Namo City in Haryana is one component of a larger initiative. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced that four greenfield "Namo Cities" will be developed across NCR, with one each in Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. The Centre will provide Rs 5,000 crore in assistance over five years.
The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has approved a long-term blueprint aimed at decentralising growth by creating new economic and residential hubs linked through the expanding Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). The plan is expected to guide land use, infrastructure, housing and environmental management across the NCR over the next 15 years.
What Happens Next
The proposal is still in the planning stage. Details that emerge in the coming months will determine whether Namo City develops into an alternative wholesale hub. No formal relocation notification has been issued to Delhi trade bodies, and the exact timeline for land acquisition and infrastructure development remains unclear.
The Haryana CM indicated the regional planning board will meet in December in Gurgaon to approve the Regional Plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Namo City Haryana?
A proposed township spread over nearly 5,000 acres that will house both commercial establishments and public facilities. It is located in Sonipat district.
Who is behind this plan?
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the plan during a June 29, 2026 meeting with representatives of 26 Delhi trade associations.
Which Delhi markets are being targeted?
Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Khari Baoli, Nehru Place, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Palace and Azadpur.
Has any trader actually committed to moving?
Dry fruit traders from Khari Baoli have already picked up around 280 plots in Haryana, while traders from the Ludhiana dry fruit market have taken roughly 180 plots.
Is this part of a larger plan?
Yes. Four greenfield "Namo Cities" will be developed across NCR—one each in Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan—with the Centre providing Rs 5,000 crore in assistance over five years.
What incentives does Haryana offer?
Customised incentive packages, employment-linked incentives, single-window clearances and time-bound approvals to investors.
Are Delhi traders ready to relocate?
Leaders of established Chandni Chowk trade bodies say no market relocation has been formally notified to them, and the proposal remains in the discussion stage.
Sources
- Haryana rolls out red carpet for Delhi traders with 5,000-acre commercial township plan—'Namo City'
- Priced out of Chandni Chowk? Haryana's 'Namo City' rolls out the Red Carpet for Delhi's traders
- Haryana bets on Delhi's Sadar Bazar traders with 5,000-acre 'Namo City'
- Haryana to establish world-class commercial market, invites Delhi traders to invest
- Plan 2041: No change in NCR boundary; four 'Namo' cities to come up
- NCR 2041 Blueprint Paves Way for Four 'Namo' Cities