The Indian Express editorial argues that Shahjahanabad, also known as Old Delhi, is losing its historic identity under pressure from redevelopment, changing urban form, and commercialisation. Old Delhi is a living heritage city whose architecture, culture, and social life are being eroded by modern interventions.
Why this is relevant for UPSC
The topic maps directly to GS1 through Indian culture and urban heritage, and to GS2 and GS3 through governance, planning, and sustainable urban development. It is also a useful Essay theme because it raises the trade-off between development and conservation.
Mains dimensions
Related current affairs
- Heritage conservation and redevelopment of Delhi’s cultural core under MPD-2047
- DDA plans over 20 meetings on master plan implementation
- DDA to enforce land pooling via town planning schemes
- Technology-driven governance and regulatory simplification under MPD-2047 (GIS, online approvals, negative list)
- Delhi Master Plan 2047 (MPD-2047) unveiled as roadmap for Viksit Delhi and Viksit Bharat 2047
- Delhi master plan notified; 40 lakh houses planned (teaser)