NCR States Propose Candidate Locations for Four Namo Cities; Selection Panel Set to Report by August 15

What Was Decided

Four new modern cities are to be developed within the National Capital Region under the Regional Plan-2041 framework, with a competitive selection process underway. A sub-committee comprising senior officials from the Centre and the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi has been constituted, tasked with submitting its final report by August 15. Despite extensive deliberations, the Regional Plan 2041 could not be approved at the NCR Planning Board meeting as participating states failed to reach a consensus on all aspects of the proposal, but the location selection process has moved forward independently.

Who Decided and When

The proposals were reviewed at the 42nd meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal. 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 decision was announced on June 16, 2026.

The Numbers: Funding and Timeline

The scheme will include a performance-linked incentive of Rs 5,000 crore as a blend of grant, loan, and guarantee, including a Rs 1,000 crore grant, allocated over five years across all four cities. The committee on the four new urban centres is expected to submit its report by August 15, 2026, with the board's 43rd meeting proposed for December 2026. The region's population is expected to increase to 147.3 million by 2041 from 78.6 million at present, requiring planners to accommodate nearly 70 million more residents over the next 15 years.

State Proposals: Candidate Locations

Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh has suggested Jewar, Dadri, Khurja, Bulandshahr, and Noida as possible locations. These areas span Gautam Buddha Nagar and Bulandshahr districts along major transport corridors including the Yamuna Expressway and rail lines.

Rajasthan: Rajasthan's Urban Development Minister suggested that Alwar and Bharatpur could emerge as strong contenders given their strategic location and growth potential within the NCR. Both districts have been formally included in the updated NCR boundaries following recent administrative reorganisation.

The locations of the proposed Namo cities are yet to be finalised—a committee has been constituted for the purpose and participating states have been asked to submit their suggestions. Delhi and Haryana have not yet publicly announced their specific candidate cities.

Selection Mechanism: How Winners Will Be Chosen

Each state will have to submit three plans for three identified cities, out of which one will be eligible for selection. Selection of the final sites will be undertaken through a competitive evaluation process. This competitive challenge-based approach means states must present compelling proposals demonstrating location viability, infrastructure readiness, and alignment with transit-oriented development principles.

Development Model: Transit-Oriented Cities

Four semi-greenfield cities are proposed to be developed as mixed-use TOD at selected existing and proposed stations on the Namo Bharat (RRTS) lines. The plan envisions all new settlements as self-sustaining, with modern civic infrastructure modelled on smart city projects developed under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. On urban mobility, the Plan-2041 envisions a "30-minute NCR"—a commitment that every major city in the region should be reachable from Delhi within half an hour through superfast rail links and eight RRTS corridors.

What This Changes for the NCR

The NCR is expected to house around 11 crore people by 2041, up from roughly 5.8 crore at the last census, and planners estimate more than 3 crore additional residents will need to be accommodated over the next 15 years. The four Namo cities are intended to serve as planned urban nodes to channel that growth rather than allow further unplanned sprawl in existing cities. The 42nd board meeting also confirmed that Haryana's NCR boundaries will remain unchanged, with all 14 of its districts including Karnal, Panipat, Jind, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani staying within the NCR fold.

The Regional Plan also estimates that nearly 67% of the NCR's population will be urban by 2041, highlighting the need to develop new urban centres instead of concentrating growth around Delhi, Gurugram and Noida.

What Is Next

The panel has been tasked with submitting its final report by August 15, 2026. Another meeting would be held after two months, following which the plan would be finalised. The board's 43rd meeting has been proposed for December 2026, when the full Regional Plan 2041 is expected to move toward final approval. States must now prepare detailed proposals for their nominated locations, demonstrating infrastructure capacity, land availability, and development readiness to compete in the selection process.