Pilkhuwa, textile hub, will be new Delhi satellite town

In all, Delhi metropolitan area has four satellite towns, the other two being Gurgaon and Faridabad, both in Haryana. Satellite towns are small or medium-sized townships situated near a large metropolis but are independent economically and socially.

Known as a textile hub, Pilkhuwa, too, falls in the National Capital Region (NCR). "Pilkhuwa's name has been sent to the Union Urban Development Ministry," said Alok Ranjan, principal secretary of the state Urban Development Department.

Officials of the Union Urban Development Ministry had met state government representatives over a week ago in Delhi to select any city for development as a satellite town of the national capital.

Under this project, Pilkhuwa will get a sewage system, water supply, waste management system, transport and other civic services that are available in metro cities. "As a satellite town, Pilkhuwa will be home to people who work in Delhi. Since it is barely 35 km from the national capital, people can shuttle between this town and Delhi everyday," Ranjan said.

The Union government has formed a panel of firms that give consultancy in urban development projects. State Urban Development Department officials said the Centre itself would appoint a consultant from that panel to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of development work to be done

in Pilkhuwa.

"The DPR would be prepared by February next. After its approval, the Centre will release over Rs 65-70 crore to start development in the town," Ranjan added.