Highway peripheral urbanization, industrialization and land use change: a case study of NH-48 in National Capital Region, Delhi, India.

This study examined the urbanization, industrialization and land transformation surrounding National Highway-48 in the National Capital Region of Delhi. Over the last 20 years, this region has experienced rapid urban growth, industrialization and land transformation. Its urban expansion has fluctuated over time, indicating future urban dynamics. This highway from Delhi to Mumbai is a part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. It is India's most ambitious infrastructure development programme, aiming to transform new industrial cities into "Smart Cities" by integrating next-generation technologies. This study covers 2637 sq km area surrounding NH-48 from Gurugram city to Sotanala industrial location in Behror, a 127 km stretch in the NCR with a buffer of 10 km. It covers sixteen urban centres, including Gurugram, Garhi Harshru, Bhondsi, Manesar and Pataudi in Gurgaon District, Rewari, Dharuhera, Bawal, Rampura, Ghatal Mahaniawas, Aakera and Maheshari in Rewari District, Bhiwadi, Shahjahanpur, Neemrana and Behror in Alwar District. Landsat satellite images, census data, state and district industrial profiles of Haryana and Rajasthan and city/regional development plans have been used for meaningful analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]