Kamla Nagar, New Delhi
| Kamla Nagar कमला नगर | |
|---|---|
| neighbourhood | |
| Coordinates: 28°40′50″N 77°12′13″E / 28.68056°N 77.20361°ECoordinates: 28°40′50″N 77°12′13″E / 28.68056°N 77.20361°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Delhi |
| District | North Delhi |
| Metro | Delhi |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Kamla Nagar is a residential and commercial neighbourhood in North Delhi. It is one of Delhi's major shopping centres.
History
Kamla Nagar is named after Kamala Nehru, a freedom fighter and wife of Jawaharlal Nehru. The neighbourhood rose to prominence after the erection of Ram Swarup Clock Tower on the Grand Trunk Road in 1941, and the construction of Jaipuria and Birla textile mills. It was also a stop of the erstwhile Delhi Tram Service. Later, it was developed as an affluent residential area in 1950s.
Kamla Nagar and its adjoining neighbourhoods were a centre of political activity during the late British Raj and the first two decades after Independence. Freedom fighters and political personalities like Aruna Asaf Ali, Guru Radha Kishan, Bharatiya Jana Sangh General Secretary Kanwar Lal Gupta, Purshottam Goyal, Murari Lal Gupta Chharia, BABA RAM SWAROOP and Shivcharan Gupta were active there.[1] Wrestlers like Dara Singh, Guru Hanuman, Satpal Singh, Bhupendra Dhawan and Maha Singh Rao trained in the akharas of the area. It was also a cultural hub after Independence with Gulzar, Santosh Anand and Manoj Kumar being active there during some part of their lives before becoming popular in Bollywood.
It was also the venue of Guru Radha Kishan's 24-day fast to support the rights of labour unions of textile mills where he rose to prominence from. He was elected the youngest member of Delhi Municipal Committee.[2]
Overview
Kamla Nagar is surrounded by New Chandrawal Village, University of Delhi's North campus and Kamla Nehru Ridge Forest on the east, Roop Nagar on the north, Shakti Nagar on the west and Malka Ganj on the south. The Grand Trunk Road separates Kamla Nagar from Shakti Nagar. It shares much of its character and history with the adjoining neighbourhoods of Shakti Nagar, Roop Nagar and Malka Ganj. It was built as a residential colony in 1950s divided into six blocks three roundabouts. It comprises a mix of apartment buildings and bungalows.Kamla nagar was developed and sold by DLF, a company of Ch raghubir singh.
Although originally built as a residential colony, it has transformed into a major commercial centre of Delhi, and the most prominent in North Delhi. The commercial streets house a mix of international brands and Indian stores, mostly located on and around Bungalow Road, opposite Hans Raj College. The retail stores and restaurants are located on lower floors of the market while the upper stories have retained their residential character.
Indian street-food joints, Chinese fast food joints and street side apparel shops are also characteristic of these commercial streets. Along with these local food joints all the brands are available like Mc Donalds, Cafe Coffee Day, Dominos etc.[3]
Places of interest
Places of interest include the 17th century Roshanara Garden and the adjacent 19th century Roshanara Club in Shakti Nagar. Kamla Nehru Ridge Forest, which lies on the east of Kamla Nagar, has historic monuments such as the Mutiny Memorial, Flagstaff Tower and one of the several Ashoka Pillars. Ram Swarup Clock Tower lies on the southern edge of Kamla Nagar. Delhi Vidhan Sabha and Viceregal Lodge of Delhi (now Vice Chancellor's Residence) are also nearby.
Shopping Hub of Delhi
Kamla Nagar has become one of the top shopping areas for Delhi. Kamla Nagar is now converting into a ladies' high street shopping center, where one can find famous western and ethnic clothing, along with cheaper street-bargaining type shopping. During the sale periods of July - August and February - March, people rush to this market for all types of apparel shopping.
Recreational facilities
Delhi University Stadium and Roshanara Club are the closest sports facilities. Delhi Police's Polo Grounds in GTB Nagar and Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town are other nearby sports stadia.
Education
University of Delhi's North campus lies to the east of Kamla Nagar. Hans Raj college Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi School of Economics, St. Stephen's College, Hindu College, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Daulat Ram College, SGTB Khalsa College, Miranda House, Kirori Mal College, Ramjas College and Indraprastha College for Women are some of the prominent educational and research institutions in the vicinity.
Transport
Metro rail
Vishwa Vidyalaya metro station on the Yellow Line and Pul Bangash metro station on the Red Line are the closest Delhi Metro stations.
Buses
- 19
- 100A
- 108
- 108A
- 114
- 234-1
- 234
- 816
- 912
Indian Railways
The nearest railway station is Subzi Mandi.
Hospitals
- Hindu Rao Hospital and Medical College, Malka Ganj
- Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute
- Sant Parmanand Hospital, Civil Lines
- North Delhi Pathology Clinic