Okhla Industrial Area is South Delhi’s oldest and most enduring industrial hub — a working district that’s outlasted several generations of Delhi’s commercial fashions. From ready-made garments to modern IT towers, here’s what’s actually inside Okhla, and why it matters if you’re renting or working nearby.
Key Takeaways
- Okhla Industrial Estate was inaugurated in 1958 by the National Small Industries Corporation, one of 12 such estates built across India.
- It’s divided into three phases: Phase I and II for manufacturing and printing, Phase III — spread over 110 acres — for corporate and IT offices.
- Okhla NSIC Metro Station on the Magenta Line serves the area directly, connecting it to Nehru Place, Kalkaji, and Greater Kailash in minutes.
Overview & History
Construction on Okhla Industrial Estate began in 1952, and it was formally inaugurated in 1958 under the National Small Industries Corporation — one of 12 such estates developed across India to seed small-scale industry in the years after Independence. The area takes its name from the nearby Okhla barrage on the Yamuna, built by the British in 1874 as the starting point of the Agra Canal.
Why it matters: Okhla predates almost every other South Delhi commercial district by over a decade, giving it a genuinely different character — dense, working, and industrial rather than the planned, podium-and-tower style of district centres like Nehru Place or Bhikaji Cama Place.
The Three Phases
Phase I & II house the bulk of Okhla’s manufacturing base — ready-made garments, leather goods, pharmaceuticals, plastics and packaging, printing presses, and machinery units, alongside a growing number of call centres and back offices.
Phase III, spread over 110 acres and laid out by British architect Walter George, has evolved into the area’s corporate face, with premium office buildings serving IT and ITES companies.
Companies & Employment
Okhla’s tenant base spans decades of Delhi’s industrial history, from established manufacturers to modern telecom and energy names, including Vodafone Idea, Tata Power Solar Systems, Voltas, and Indian Oil Corporation Limited among its confirmed occupants. Office rents across the estate range widely, roughly ₹20–₹120 per sq ft per month depending on phase and building quality — Phase III’s corporate towers command the top end.
Location & Connectivity
Okhla NSIC Metro Station on the Magenta Line serves the area directly, with Govind Puri and Harkesh Nagar Okhla on the Violet Line as additional access points nearby. The estate sits roughly 13 km from Connaught Place and 20 km from IGI Airport, with Nehru Place, Jasola, and Greater Kailash all within a few minutes’ drive — see our South East Delhi areas list for how Okhla fits into the wider district.
Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university established in 1920, anchors the neighbourhood immediately next to the industrial estate, and the Okhla Bird Sanctuary sits further along the barrage.
Living Near Okhla
A meaningful share of Okhla’s workforce lives within a short commute in Jasola, Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, or Kalkaji — all covered in our Jasola District Centre guide for the adjoining commercial corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Okhla Industrial Area established?
Construction began in 1952 and the estate was inaugurated in 1958 by the National Small Industries Corporation, one of 12 such estates built across India.
How many phases does Okhla Industrial Area have?
Three: Phase I and II focus on manufacturing, garments, and printing, while Phase III, spread over 110 acres, hosts corporate and IT office towers.
What is the nearest metro station to Okhla Industrial Area?
Okhla NSIC Metro Station on the Magenta Line serves the area directly.
What is the pincode for Okhla Industrial Area?
Okhla Industrial Estate falls under pincode 110020.
Is Okhla a good area to live near if I work there?
Yes. Nearby residential pockets in Jasola, Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, and Kalkaji all offer a short commute to Okhla’s industrial and office space.
Working nearby and looking for a short commute? Browse current flats for rent in Kalkaji — one of Okhla’s closest residential neighbours.
Written by the South Delhi Rentwala Editorial Team, which tracks South Delhi’s commercial and industrial hubs alongside the residential demand they generate. Learn more about us.
Published Jan 29, 2026 · Last Updated July 9, 2026 · 6 min read