Big Relief for Haryana: All 14 Districts Retain NCR Status, No Boundary Changes Approved

In a major relief for Haryana, the National Capital Region (NCR) map will remain unchanged, with all 14 districts of the state continuing to be part of the NCR. The decision was taken during the 42nd meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) held in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation that districts such as Karnal, Panipat, Jind, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani could be removed from the NCR under the proposed Regional Plan-2041 boundary revisions.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who attended the meeting chaired by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, confirmed that the state's existing NCR boundaries would remain intact.

The proposed changes had raised concerns over the possible loss of infrastructure funding, development projects and land-use advantages linked to NCR status. Had the plan gone ahead, several districts could have faced significant economic and planning implications.

Currently, 14 of Haryana's 23 districts fall within the NCR. The latest decision ensures that existing development planning, investment prospects and regional connectivity initiatives will continue without disruption.

The meeting also discussed several future proposals under the Regional Plan-2041 framework. A committee has been constituted to finalise recommendations and is expected to submit its report by August 15, with the next NCRPB meeting likely to be held in December.

Officials also reviewed plans related to cleaner mobility in the NCR, including the transition of older vehicles and the expansion of the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) towards Karnal and Manesar.

The decision is expected to provide certainty for investors, industries and residents across Haryana's NCR districts, many of which have witnessed rapid urban and infrastructure growth over the past decade.