Model Town

From the ashes of a rejected New Delhi location, rose the elegant Model Town. Model Town stands as a testament to visionary planning and upscale living. Envisioned in the early 1950s by the DLF Group, originally Delhi Land and Finance, Model Town became one of Delhi’s first privately developed neighborhoods. Model Town is a sprawling area, meticulously divided into blocks and sub-colonies. It holds the distinction of being one of three administrative divisions within North Delhi, alongside Alipur and Narela. Interestingly, the land Model Town occupies was initially considered as a potential site for New Delhi back in 1912. The Delhi Town Planning Committee favored this area north of Shahjahanabad. Its proximity to the old city and the Civil Lines area made it a desirable location. The area also held historical significance due to its connection to the Delhi Durbars, where three British monarchs were coronated. However, the plan shifted, and New Delhi was eventually established in Raisina Hill. This move was influenced by factors such as land acquisition costs and a desire to create a fresh identity for the city, separate from its past. By the 1940s, Model Town’s aristocratic landowners collaborated with DLF, transforming their estate into a planned neighborhood. Model Town emerged as one of the most well-designed areas, predating the 1962 master plan. It became Delhi’s premier elite neighborhood after India gained independence. The influence of the Imperial Town Planning Movement is evident in Model Town’s design, echoing the principles seen in New Delhi and Civil Lines. Low-rise development is favored, characterized by large plots, single-story buildings, and a maximum ground coverage of 25%. Model Town is further divided into three sub-colonies: Model Town I, Model Town II, and Model Town III. Model Town boasts excellent connectivity, with access to the Ring Road and the Outer Ring Road. Two metro stations, Model Town and Azad Pur, are also conveniently located nearby. Model Town offers a relatively central location within Delhi, situated within 8 km of the city center. It’s surrounded by various neighborhoods, including Azadpur, Derawal Nagar, and the University of Delhi’s north campus. Within Model Town, you’ll find landmarks like the now-closed Alpana Cinema, once a renowned cinema hall and local landmark near Model Town I Crossing. Chhatrasal Stadium, opposite Model Town III, hosted soccer matches during the 1982 Asian Games. Model Town also has a serene Naini Lake, offering boating facilities and a walking path, maintained by Delhi Tourism. Model Town’s charm lies not just in its modern amenities but also its proximity to historical sites. The Grand Trunk Road, built during Sher Shah Suri’s reign, runs close by. The historic Gurdwara Nanak Piao, dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev, is situated on this road.