Chanakyapuri


Chanakyapuri is an affluent neighbourhood and diplomatic enclave established in the 1950s in New Delhi. Chanakyapuri translates to the City of Chanakya, and is named for the third century BC advisor and Prime Minister in the court of great Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya. It plays host to the majority of foreign embassies in New Delhi. Chanakyapuri was also developed as official residences for both politicians and civil servants of the Government of India. As such, it has numerous parks and open spaces, and suffers few utility disruptions. It is located near the Prime Minister's residence.

History

Chanakyapuri was the first major extension of New Delhi beyond Lutyens' Delhi. The Central Public Works Department developed a large area of land acquired from ancient Gurjar village that was located there to create this diplomatic enclave in the 1950s. Subsequently, this land was allotted to embassies, chanceries, high commissions and ambassador residences. The enclave is built around a wide central vista, known as Shanti Path, with wide green areas. A large landscaped park spread over an area of 80 acres, known as Nehru Park, was developed in 1969 for the families of the diplomatic personnel. The ancient Bhairon Temple of relocated gurjar Baisoya village Alipur stands by the park. In time, two markets, two colleges and schools run by diplomatic missions were established in the neighbourhood.
Chanakyapuri, meaning city of "Chanakya", is named after Chanakya, a third-century BC Mauryan advisor and prime minister. Today Chanakyapuri is the diplomatic district of New Delhi, situated amidst a lush green expanse. It is characterized by wide avenues, landscaped round about, eclectic architecture, diplomatic missions, government housing, international schools and some of Delhi’s finest and oldest 5-star hotels.
The diplomatic enclave is the residential districts within Chanakyapuri, a favourite residential option for diplomats, bureaucrats and affluent Indians. The area enjoys the best civic amenities in the city.
The majority of the houses and apartments are around Malcha Marg and Rajdoot Marg which divide the crescents around which the plots are located. Thus every property looks into a park or a green belt. The plots vary from 375 Sqyds to 800 Sq.yds and offer a residential apartment in the range of 1600 Sq.ft to 3000 Sq.ft.

Accessibility

Major roads in Chanakyapuri include Shanti Path, Nyaya Marg, Niti Marg, Chandragupta Marg and Panchsheel Marg. In addition to these, the Ring Road traverses the southern expanse of the neighbourhood and intersects National Highway 8 on the border with neighbouring Dhaula Kuan. Sardar Patel Marg marks the Western periphery, while the Chanakya Cinema complex, which lies beyond Nehru Park, forms the south-western perimeter. The Delhi Ring Railway stops at Chanakyapuri, while Lok Kalyan Marg metro station and Jor Bagh metro station are the nearest stations of Delhi Metro.

Points of interest

There are various architectural delights in the area, including several embassies and hotels. Some of these are listed below:
Chanakyapuri is also home to the following:
Chanakyapuri is also home to a number of hotels and other services catering to both foreign and domestic visitors to Delhi. These include the Hotel Ashok, Hotel Samrat, the Maurya Sheraton, Taj Palace, Claridges, the Leela Palace and Diplomat, along with certain establishments by the Youth Hostels Association of India. Primus Group of hospitals also operates an International Hospital in this neighborhood, in western Chanakyapuri.

Education

Primary and secondary schools