An urban neighbourhood by the Okhla barrage on the Yamuna, one of the oldest continuously inhabited parts of Delhi — and the namesake of Noida across the river.
Okhla takes its name from a village of the same name that once stood on this site, on the southern bank of the Yamuna. The area was originally inhabited by Gurjar, Jat, and Yadav communities, and remained a modest agricultural settlement for much of its history.
Its more recent character comes from the British-built Okhla barrage and the Agra Canal, laid out in 1874 — the canal's start point is still called Okhla Head today. Industrial growth followed in the 20th century: the Okhla Industrial Estate was built by the National Small Industries Corporation, with construction starting in 1952 and the estate inaugurated in 1958, one of twelve such estates developed across India to encourage small-scale industry. Okhla also lent its name to Noida — the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority — the planned township across the river in Uttar Pradesh.
Okhla's best-known landmark — a central university with a history dating back to 1920, and the anchor of the surrounding Jamia Nagar area.
A British-era barrage on the Yamuna and the starting point of the Agra Canal (1874). The area today is a wetland bird sanctuary despite pollution pressure on the river.
Built in the 1950s and split into three phases, home to garment and leather exporters, printing presses, pharmaceutical units, and small manufacturers.
One of Delhi's largest wholesale fruit and vegetable markets, supplying much of the surrounding city.
Okhla is less a single colony than a cluster of neighbourhoods that grew up around the original village and the industrial estate. The area today includes Jamia Nagar, Batla House, Zakir Nagar, Okhla Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jogabai Extension, and Ghaffar Manzil Colony, and sits near New Friends Colony, Kalkaji, Sarita Vihar, and Jasola.