Know The 27 Cities Joining The List Of Smart Cities Mission
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on September 20 announced the names of 27 more cities whose development will be co-funded by the Centre under the Narendra Modi-led government's flagship Smart Cities Mission.
Under the government's Smart Cities concept, a total of 100 cities are to be developed as smart ones by 2019-20 -- with facilities like regular water and power supply, proper sanitation and waste-management systems, efficient public transportation systems, IT connectivity and e-governance, etc. For this, each city is to get an assistance of Rs 200 crore from the Centre in the first year and Rs 100 crore over the following three financial years.
Explaining Smart City: Features, Importance And Future
PropGuide lists the 27 cities added to the list of smart cities on September 20.
1. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
A city that houses one of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal, Agra is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. Around 206 kilometres to the south of Delhi and 378 kilometres from the state capital of Lucknow, Agra is one of the most populated cities of Uttar Pradesh. It is also part of the Golden Triangle project, along with Jaipur and Delhi.
At present, Agra has an airport that caters to low-cost carriers and Air India flights. The city is served by the central railways line between Mumbai-Delhi and Chennai-Delhi. Agra has three main railway stations – the Agra Fort, the Agra Cantonment, and the Agra City Railway Station.
The city is also served by numerous arterial roads including the Yamuna Expressway, the NH-93 (which connects Agra to Aligarh and Moradabad) , and NH-2 (which connects Agra to Delhi via Aurobindo Marg or Mathura Road) . Some of the major bus stops here are, ISBT, Taj Depot, Ford Depot and Idgah Bus Stand.
2. Ajmer, Rajasthan
A city in Rajasthan, Ajmer derives its name from 'Ajeya Meru' (the invincible hill) . This pilgrimage city is located 400 kms away from Delhi and 132 kms from the state capital of Jaipur and is home to the famous dargah of Moinuddin Chishti, also known as the Ajmer Sharif dargah. The city is also famous for housing the Board of Secondary Education for Rajasthan and also, the renowned Mayo College.
3. Amritsar, Punjab
Known for the iconic Golden Temple, Amritsar is a spiritual and cultural centre. It also holds a historical relevance as it houses Jallianwala Bagh and is also, close to the Wagah Border (28 kms from city centre) . Amritsar is around 217 km to the northwest of Chandigarh.
The city is also known for its commercial and infrastructural development that has boosted Amritsar's real estate sector. Amritsar lies along the GT Road which connects it to Delhi and Lahore. It has its own airport, the Guru Ramdas International Airport or Raja Sansi International Airport.
Buses from Amritsar ply every day to Jammu, Chandigarh, Patiala, Delhi and Ambala. The Amritsar Railway Station is the main station of the city, which has trains plying to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow and other major metros.
4. Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Aurangabad is touted as the tourism capital of Maharashtra. Surrounded by several historical monuments, Aurangabad is called the city of gates. It hosts the administrative headquarters of the Marathwada region. One of the largest cities in India, Aurangabad has in recent times emerged as a prominent location for IT and manufacturing industries.
The Highway-211 from Dhule to Solapur passes through Aurangabad, offering smooth road connectivity to Jalna, Pune, Ahmednagar, Nagpur, Beed and Mumbai. Aurangabad also boasts an excellent rail connectivity to various locations.
The price of plots in Aurangabad is set to witness an upward trend in the near future, especially with the city being shortlisted for the Smart Cities Mission. The real estate market here is suited for the middle-income group, with an abundance of affordable flats.
5. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
A city of historical relevance in Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is considered as a counter magnet to the Tier-I real estate markets. Situated 319 kms south of Delhi and surrounded by industrial and commercial zones of adjoining districts, it hosts several administrative and judicial organisations.
It is also a major railway junction in the northern-central region that has been awarded for being the cleanest station of north central railway zone. The city also enjoys smooth connectivity to various parts of the state and India through national and state highways.
Since it is a Tier-II city, the property prices in Gwalior are not as high as that in metros. The top property locations here include Banarpura, City Centre and Mahalgaon.
6. Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka
The Hubli-Dharwad are twin cities in North Karnataka, a booming centre for business and education. The cities are also known for their contribution to the Kannada literature and Hindustani music. While Dharwad houses the Karnataka University, Hubli is known to be a hub for trading, with smooth connectivity in Bengaluru (earlier Bangalore) and Mumbai. The major agri-commodities traded in the twin cities are cotton and oil seeds. Hubli is also the headquarter of the South Western Railway and has a bus manufacturing unit of Tata Motors.
7. Jalandhar, Punjab
Located in northwest Punjab, Jalandhar has seen rapid urbanisation and has been developed into an industrialised centre buzzing with commercial activity. Jalandhar, 144 km northwest of the state capital of Chandigarh and about 370 km from Delhi, is a key junction for road and rail transport.
GT Road on NH-1 and Khurla Kingra are two of the best locations for property in Jalandhar. With the continuous growth of the industrial sector here, the real estate market here is seeing new heights. The under-construction properties in Jalandhar are priced on par with those in Tier-II and -III cities, and the new luxury projects in Jalandhar are equipped with all modern amenities.
Located in northwest Punjab, Jalandhar has seen rapid urbanisation and has been developed into an industrialised centre buzzing with commercial activity. Jalandhar, 144 km northwest of the state capital of Chandigarh and about 370 km from Delhi, is a key junction for road and rail transport.
GT Road on NH-1 and Khurla Kingra are two of the best locations for property in Jalandhar. With the continuous growth of the industrial sector here, the real estate market here is seeing new heights. The under-construction properties in Jalandhar are priced on par with those in Tier-II and -III cities, and the new luxury projects in Jalandhar are equipped with all modern amenities.
8. Kalyan-Dombivali, Maharashtra
With headquarters in Thane district's Kalyan, these twin cities are home to the Durgadi Fort. A cultural hub, these cities are spread over an area of 137.15 sq km with a population of 1.25 million and a literacy rate of 91.37 per cent. The area also has several defence, engineering and pharmaceutical manufacturing units.
9. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Kanpur is the largest city in Uttar Pradesh surrounded by the Ganga in the northeast and the River Pandu (Yamuna) in the south, Kanpur has a number of important national highways passing through the city — NH-2, NH-25, NH-86, NH-91, and the proposed NH-157. The development of a four-lane outer ring road along the periphery of Kanpur has been undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India. The new road, which will allow heavy vehicles to bypass the city, will be developed under Phase-VII of the highways development programme.
Kanpur is among those Tier-II and -III cities that are seen as the most promising real estate markets in the coming years. There has been a decent rise in prices in the past 3-4 years, especially for independent houses. Singhpur, Jarauli, Kalyanpur, Khyora, and Kidwai Nagar are some of the best property locations in the city. Luxury housing in Kanpur is also witnessing a steady increase in demand, the top residential areas being Shastri Nagar. Kanpur offers a host of choices in terms of duplex houses, apartments, and bungalows. Market analysts find high prospects in the real estate market of Kanpur, given the factors like high immigration, excellent infrastructure, rising per-capita income, and propensity to consume.
10. Kohima, Nagaland
Kohima is the capital of Nagaland, a city that shares its border with Myanmar. The city's population comprises of 16 tribes of Nagaland, has a large proportion of the Angamis and Aos people in the present-day Kohima urban area. Kohima has cool winters and hot rainy summers. It is famous for its Hornbill festival, celebrated in Naga folklore and aimed at celebrating Naga traditions and culture. It is a prime tourist attraction, too.
11. Kota, Rajasthan
Kota in Rajasthan is located on the banks of River Chambal. Followed by Jaipur and Jodhpur, the city is the third most populated city of Rajasthan and 46th most populated city of the country. The city has been known as a hub for competitive exams coaching and preparation, housing a large number of medical coaching institutes and engineering colleges.
Kota boasts of a growing economy housing various industries related to textile weaving, cotton and oilseed milling, distilling, the manufacture of metal handcrafts and dairy. The city has a Kota Stone polishing industry, too.
The city has many popular attractions which include Chatra Vilas Garden, Kota Zoological Park, Chambal Garden, Seven Wonders Park, Garh Palace, Abheda Mahal, Godavari Dham Temple, Kota Government Museum, Kishore Sagar Lake, Jag Mandir, Maharao Madho Singh Museum, Brijraj Bhawan Palace and Rangbari Balaji Temple.
12. Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Madurai is a city in Tamil Nadu located on the banks of River Vaigai. The city boasts of sound infrastructure with an international airport located at a distance of 12 kilometers. National highways 7, 45b, 49 and 208 and state highways 33, 72, 72a, 73 and 73a ensure smooth connectivity across the city and to other parts of the state. The city's three major bus terminals including Periyar, Mattuthavani and Arappalayam are used by the residents for commuting. In 2006, Madurai was selected as a city under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to create a sound infrastructure. Under this mission, efforts would be made on improving the conditions of water supply, traffic management, solid waste management and the overall infrastructure.
Madurai is known as a Tier II cities of India. Many software companies are setting up their offices in Madurai. Under National Information Technology Development Program, Software Technology Parks of India, an agency of the Government of India, has given great benefits to the companies. The government has planned two IT-based Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Madurai.
Madurai attracts many tourists every year. There are several attractions including Gandhi Memorial Palace, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and The Eco Park.
13. Mangaluru, Karnataka
Mangaluru is located 371 kilometers towards the west of Bengaluru. The city positioned between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea, is 13th among the most prominent business destination of India.
Mangaluru enjoys smooth connectivity and links various parts of the country through road, railways and airways. Mangaluru has four key national highways, namely NH-66, NH-48, NH-13 and NH-234. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is improving the national highways to link Surathkal to New Mangalore Port through NH 66.
Moreover, in terms of industrial development Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has contributed Rs 35,000 crore in a new petrochemical plant and refinery along with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants at the Mangaluru SEZ. Along with this, the state government has planned to set up three IT parks, close to the Mangaluru city.
14. Nagpur, Maharashtra
Nagpur offers smooth connectivity to the residents. The Varanasi-Kanyakumari or NH-7 and the Kolkata-Hajira NH-6 pass through the cities. The NH-69 links Obaidullaganj close to Bhopal with Nagpur. The city is located at the meeting of two Asian Highways - the AH-46 and AH-43. Moreover, the Mumbai-Aurangabad-Nagpur Express Highway links the city through Aurangabad.
The MSRTC operates bus services to ensure smooth intercity travel along with Nagpur Mahanagar Parivahan Limited's service that connects the locality. The city is also connected with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport.
The city has numerous educational institutions such as Visveswaraya National Institute of Technology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) .
15. Namchi, Sikkim
Namchi, Sikkim is located at a distance of 78 kilometers from Gangtok with proximity to airport and railhead. Namchi offers good connectivity it to other towns in Sikkim and West Bengal via bus and jeeps.
Namchi attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Some of the attractions in Namchi, Sikkim are the Namchi Monastery, Ralang Monastery and Tendong Hill. World's tallest statute of the Buddhist Padmasambhava is also one of the major attractions located on the Samdruptse Hill (The Wish Fulfilling well) opposite Namchi. A rock garden comes on the way to Samdruptse.
16. Nashik, Maharashtra
Nashik, a city in the North-western region of Maharashtra, has witnessed infrastructural development at a large scale which will further be enhanced by The Pimpalgaon-Gonde Project. The Shahi Marg is constructed to help the pilgrims to reach the banks of the River Vari.
Nashik has a state of the art solid waste management system. Municipal Corporation has taken steps converting the garbage into compost. Moreover, all the upcoming residential projects in Nashik would have rainwater harvesting system. Along with this, residents enjoy excellent connectivity options. The locality is served by NH-3 and NH-50 along with prominent railway stations. Freight corridors will connect areas such as Igatpuri and Sinnar. Moreover, the construction of the Metro will link the city to outskirt areas such as Ozar, Deolali and Igatpuri.
17. Rourkela, Odisha
Steel City Rourkela in Odisha invites a large number of working population from different parts of the country.
Also a educational hub, Rourkela houses the National Institute of Technology (NIT) . This also brings in students to the city, too.
Rourkela is linked through the NH-23 that Jharkhand to Talcher in Odisha.
Rourkela boasts of a well-developed rail connection linking major cities such as Chennai, Jamshedpur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar and Nagpur. The city is located at the South Eastern railway line linking Kolkata and Mumbai. The two major railway stations are the Rourkela Railway Junction and the Pamposh Railway Station. The Rourkela Airport is located in the west of the city.
18. Salem, Tamil Nadu
In terms of population, Salem is the fifth largest city of Tamil Nadu. The city has six arterial roads, namely Saradha College Road, Attur Road, Gugai Main Road, Junction Main Road, Cherry Road and Omalur Road. Three important highways that pass through the city are Kanyakumari Varanasi NH 7, Kanyakumari to Salem NH 47 and Ulundurpet to Salem NH 68. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) provides bus services that link the city to Tirupati, Metturdam, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Along with this, the Salem Railway Junction is located at a distance of five kilometers and connects the city to Hyderabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, New Delhi, Howrah, Jaipur, Trivandrum and Kanpur. The city airport is located at Kaamalapuram in Omalur. The city is known as the textile center of the state with 125 spinning mills and garment weaving units. Salem houses the largest number of Sago industries in Tamil Nadu.
It also has Steel Authority of India's plant along with one of the biggest bauxite and magnesite deposits in India. Tata Refractories, Nandi Dall Mills, Dalmia Magnesites and Burn Standard and Co, Narsus Coffee and BSP Refineries are few names that have industries here.
Even the government is also making efforts to better the infrastructure of the city. ELCOT and Tamil Nadu government have resolved to create an IT zone that sprawls over an area of 160 acres. All these factors have led to a positive increase in the prices of real estate here with property prices varying within the range of Rs 3,500 per sq ft to Rs 4,300 per sq ft. In the last 24 months, the property has seen an increase of 45.8 per cent.
19. Shivamogga, Karnataka
Shivamogga is a city in the Shimoga District and is located on the banks of the River Tunga. The city is encapsulated by lush green fields and coconut groves. It has a strong economy and is backed by some of the prominent industries in Shimoga District including Malnad Alloys, Shanthala Sperocast, Pearlite Industries and Perfect Alloys.
Shivamogga also has an IT park in proximity to the upcoming city airport. The IT Park sprawls over 100,000 sq ft and is equipped with diesel backup generators, 24/7 electrical capacity and high speed T1 data connections for enhancing the operations of the IT industries.
20. Thane, Maharashtra
Thane located in Maharashtra is known for its proximity to India's financial capital Mumbai.
Thane district is backed by a strong economy attracting a large number of working population to the city. The district houses various industries engaged in manufacturing of electrical products, chemicals and machinery. This strong economy creates a positive market sentiment pushing the demand for plots and apartments in Thane.
Along with a strong economy, the district is backed by a strong infrastructure, too. Thane Municipal Corporation offers good transportation facilities where in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) links the city to different parts of the Thane district. The city also has a well-connected rail network allowing the locals to have a smooth commuting experience.
21. Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is an important center promoting art, religion and architecture. The city is a prestigious pilgrim center and a sought-after tourist spot with home to Brihadeeswarar Temple, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Thanjavur, known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, is backed by a strong economy. The city is basically known for its agriculture and is the hub for the production of food grains.
It also houses various universities including SASTRA University, Tamil University, PRIST University and Periyar Maniammai University.
22. Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is the headquarters of the Tirupati Revenue Division and Tirupati Mandal. The ninth most populous city in Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati boasts of great connectivity having Tirupati main railway station linking it to different parts of the country. The city is connected to the Chennai Suburban Railway's North Line with Renigunta Junction situated along the Mumbai Chennai Railway Corridor. Some other railway stations includes Tirupati West, Tiruchanur and Chandragiri. The city airport is located at a distance of 15 kilometers and connects it to Vijayawada, Mumbai, New Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The nearest international airport is in Chennai and is located at a distance of 130 kilometers.
The city's main source of revenue is tourism and hospitality.
The city houses the APIIC Industrial Park that has companies. Some of them include Sri Venkateswara Cooperative Sugar Factory Limited, AshwiniBio Pharma Ltd, and the Amara Raja Factory. This industrial setup attracts large number of working population to the city.
23. Tumakuru, Karnataka
(Wikimedia)
Tumakuru is an administrative district in Karnataka and a part of the old Mysore State. The district was formed in the year 1832.
The city has reputed educational centres including medical, technology and dental institutions. Some of the educational centers in Tumakura are Siddaganga Group of Educational Institutions, Sri Siddharatha Group of Educational Institutions, Channabasaveshwara Group of Educational Institutions and Shreedevi Group of Educational Institutions.
24. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is known for its culture and also, for prominent educational institutions including Vikram University, Maharshi Panini Sanskrit University, Mahakal Institute of Technology, Ujjain Engineering College and Ruxmaniben Deepchand Gardi Medical College.
The Madhya Pradesh government has allotted 1,200 acres of land for the industrial area on the Dewas-Ujjain Road, located near Narwar village. This initiative is likely to create a positive impact on the real estate in Ujjain.
25. Vadodara, Gujarat
Vadodara is the cultural city of Gujarat. It houses prominent industrial centers including Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals, and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited.
It has a strong infrastructure that will help accelerate real estate here. Interestingly it has an underground drainage system for the disposal of construction debris, street waste and household waste materials.
26. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh lying on the banks of River Ganga.
The city is known as the home to Hindu spirituality with various temples in the city including Sakshi Vinayaka Temple, Bindu Madhav Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple and Nepali Temple. Some of the other main attractions of the city are Alamagir Mosque, Banaras Hindu University, Sarnath, Ram Nagar Fort, Man Mandir Observatory and Gauri Matha Temple.
The city is well connected through rail and road networks.
27. Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Vellore district a part of of Tamil Nadu covers an area of around 6,077 sq km. It has 1,3708 small scale industries, 725 large scale industries and 5,932 cottage industries. Leather is one of the main industries of Vellore district.
Vellore district's popular destinations are Vellore Fort, Jalakanteswarar Temple, Elagiri Lake, Palar Anaicut Dam, Kavalur Observatory, Tippu Mahal, Delhi Gate, Mordhana, Jalagamparai.
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After the government named the first set of 20 cities for the Smart Cities programme in January 2016, it was aiming to shortlist another 40 cities in the financial year 2016-17. Of these, the names of 13 cities had been revealed earlier on May 24. Here's a look at the 13 cities announced on May 24:
Agartala
The capital city of Tripura, fast-developing as a centre for trade and investments, lies close to the India-Bangladesh border. The city is known for its high literacy rate and a pro-business environment. Agartala is also an important hub for cross-border trade and business with Bangladesh. On the flip side, however, the city still does not have direct rail connectivity, due to its geographical disadvantages. Besides, road connectivity through Guwahati and Shillong is not reliable during the rainy season. Laying of tracks by the railway ministry from Agartala to the Indo-Bangladesh international border is in the pipeline.
Bhagalpur
Situated in the southern parts of Bihar, this city is famous for silk. The state's second-largest city, next only to Patna, Bhagalpur is also a major centre for education, business and politics in East India.
One of the first planned cities of Independent India, Chandigarh was a brainchild of the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and designed as the capital of Punjab by French Architect Le Corbusier. The foundation stone of the city was laid in 1952. Later, when Punjab was trifurcated into Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh became the capital of Haryana, too. Initially developed to house half a million people, the city now accommodates about one million people. By official estimates Chandigarh's population by 2021 could be around two million. The city, which has 56 sectors, each measuring 800 x 1,200 metres, is now expanding beyond its original plan, and areas like Dhakoli, Dera Bassi, Kharar, Mani Majra, Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur are seeing project based constructions.
Dharamshala
A famous tourist destination in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is also the seat of the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan government in exile) . Tourism is the main driver of its economy. Dharamshala also has a famous cricket stadium that hosts international matches against the backdrop of scenic beauty.
Founded in 1607 by Mughal king Jahangir's treasurer Shaikh Farid to protect a road that passed through this place, Faridabad today is part of the National Capital Region. The city is strategically located and shares borders with Delhi to the north, Palwal to the south, Gurgaon to the west and Uttar Pradesh to the east. Delhi-Mathura-Agra NH-2 passes through Faridabad, which has a well-connected network of roads. The city also has a good rail connectivity. Recently, it was also connected with Delhi Metro.
Imphal
Amid mountain ranges, lakes and lush green valleys, Imphal, the capital city of Manipur has a humid subtropical climate. The city, which has many historical monuments, enjoys excellent transportation and is a major economic centre of Manipur. Connected by road to Silchar via NH-37, to Aizwal via NH-150 and to Dimapur and Tumu in Myanmar via NH AH-1, Imphal is one of the better connected state capitals in Northeast India. Also, the city is the only Northeast city apart from Guwahati that has an international airport.
A major metropolis and a booming Tier-II real estate market, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh is said to be India's first 'CCTV City'. It has about 10,000 installed cameras that are monitored by the city police. An important centre for governance, education, art and literature, Lucknow has a rich history of art and poetry. Today, it is known for its culture and architectural elegance. Several tourist attractions, monuments and landmarks dot the city.
New Town, Kolkata
With its roots in a project of the then Left government in West Bengal, New Town is a city that is coming up as a major real estate market, especially for affordable housing. The original idea was to develop the city as a modern satellite township of Kolkata, the state capital. The governing body of the township, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) , was set up under The New Town Kolkata Development Authority Act, 2007, and became operational in 2009. The body is responsible for civic services and amenities in the area.
Panaji
The capital city of Goa lies on the banks of the Mandovi River estuary. The city boasts the Salim Ali Bagh Sanctuary, the Dona Paula lake and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, and is a major tourist attraction. The city's carnival celebrations is also a big draw for tourists from across India and abroad. The nearest airport, Dabolim Airport, is 30 km from Panaji.
Port Blair
Known for its role in the struggle against British rule in India, Port Blair, today the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is famous for housing the Cellular Prison and being a major strategic location for Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army. The city has a tropical monsoon, little variation in average temperature across the year. The city's economy is mainly supported by its tourism industry.
Ruled at different times by various dynasties and empires, Raipur is a historically rich city. The biggest commercial centre of Chhattisgarh today, the city has the river Mahanadi to the east and the Maikal hills in the northwest. The city is connected to other important business centres by five national highways which cross the city. Traditionally, Raipur's economy has been supported by agricultural processing, steel, cement and alloy industries. Lately it has also emerged as a key market for coal, power, plywood, steel and aluminium.
The capital of Jharkhand, also called the 'City of Waterfalls' because of its numerous waterfalls, Ranchi is fast-developing as a commercial and economic centre. The prime contributors to the city's economy are its tourism and sports industries.
(Flickr/Rajib Ghosh)
The second-largest city in the newly formed state of Telangana, next only to Hyderabad, Warangal, a cluster of three towns — Warangal, Hanmakonda and Kazipet — is also called a tri-city. The city, 145.3 km away from Hyderabad, is governed by the Warangal Municipal Corporation. Warangal municipality was upgraded as a municipal corporation in 1994 and became Greater Warangal in 2014. The capital of the Kakatiya dynasty from the 12th to 14th centuries CE (earlier known as Orugallu) , Warangal is also referred to as the cultural capital of Telangana.