Once upon a time, New Friends Colony was almost a riverfront property. Can you imagine? It is hard to believe now, standing here surrounded by bustling streets. But in the 1970s, the Yamuna River flowed nearby.
New Friends Colony is now a posh residential area in South Delhi. It is made up of Blocks A, B, C, and D. The colony sits close to the Uttar Pradesh border. Let’s take a walk and I will tell you more.
Back in the day, Ram Lal Jaggi bought large plots from villagers for development. He sold plots for just 50 paisa per square yard. Navy and army officers were some of the first buyers. Sanjiv Rai Mehra moved here in 1979. He remembers no roads or electricity then. Families even got temporary electric connections from Khizrabad village.
New Friends Colony, along with Friends Colony East and West, was called the Marine Drive of Delhi. The Yamuna River’s course changed because of the Ring Road construction. Friends Colony was established in the 1950s. New Friends Colony came later as an extension.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were a dark time. Many Sikh houses were looted and burned. Residents hid their neighbors’ families. No government help arrived for days.
By the 1980s, New Friends Colony became a premium location. Houses were considered river-view apartments. However, heavy rains in 1978 caused the river to rise. Houses on the edge had to be vacated.
Rajiv Kapoor, a Block A resident, remembers relying on two-wheelers for transport. There was no public transport back then. Ashoka Park was a vast green land. Snakes would sometimes enter houses from the bushes.
Today, New Friends Colony has changed. Rapid urbanization brought many migrants. Unauthorized construction increased. The river was pushed back. Gates were installed to prevent encroachment. Traffic is now a daily hassle.
Despite the changes, New Friends Colony remains significant. Landmarks nearby include Jamia Millia Islamia and The Suryaa hotel. The New Friends Colony Community Centre offers a cinema hall, restaurants, and bars. Fortis Escorts Heart Institute is also in the area.
Several notable people have called New Friends Colony home. These include Meem Afzal, Priyanka Gandhi, and Najeeb Jung. Even Shiv Nadar, one of India’s richest men, has lived here.
Though its charm has faded a bit, New Friends Colony carries a rich history. It evolved from a riverside settlement to a sought-after address. Its story reflects Delhi’s own transformation over the decades.