Hapur is a district in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the smaller and more recently constituted districts of the state, with the town of Hapur serving as its administrative headquarters. The district lies in the upper Ganga–Yamuna doab and forms part of the National Capital Region (NCR), placing it within the immediate hinterland of Delhi.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Division | Meerut division |
| Headquarters | Hapur |
| Region | Upper Doab; National Capital Region (NCR) |
| Type | Revenue district |
Background
The district was carved out of the larger Ghaziabad district as part of an administrative reorganisation aimed at improving local governance in the densely populated western belt of Uttar Pradesh. On its creation, it was briefly known by an alternative name before being formally designated as Hapur district. It is administered as part of the Meerut division.
Hapur town itself is a long-established trading centre, historically noted for its grain market (mandi) and for the manufacture and trade of stainless steel utensils, paper, and pipe products. The district shares borders with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bulandshahr, and Amroha (Jyotiba Phule Nagar), with the Ganga forming part of its eastern boundary.
Administration
The district is divided into tehsils that include Hapur, Garhmukteshwar, and Dhaulana. Garhmukteshwar, on the right bank of the Ganga, is a notable pilgrimage town and the site of the annual Kartik Purnima fair, which draws large numbers of pilgrims for ritual bathing in the river. Pilkhuwa, within the district, is well known for its handloom and hand-block printed textile industry.
Connectivity
- National Highway 9 (the Delhi–Lucknow corridor) passes through the district, linking Hapur with Delhi to the west and Moradabad to the east.
- The district is served by the Indian Railways network, with Hapur Junction being a significant station on the routes connecting Delhi, Meerut, Moradabad, and Lucknow.
- Proximity to Delhi and Ghaziabad integrates the district with the broader NCR transport and economic system.
Economy
The economy combines agriculture with small and medium industry. Sugarcane, wheat, rice, and vegetables are important crops, supported by canal and tubewell irrigation in the fertile doab soils. Industrial activity is concentrated around Hapur town and Pilkhuwa, with prominent sectors including:
- Stainless steel utensils and metalware
- Paper and paperboard manufacturing
- Handloom and textile printing (notably at Pilkhuwa)
- Agro-processing and grain trading
Culture and places of interest
- Garhmukteshwar – a Hindu pilgrimage site on the Ganga associated with Shiva temples and a major Kartik Purnima mela.
- Hapur city – a regional commercial hub with traditional markets.
- Pilkhuwa – noted for hand-printed bedsheets and textiles.
Significance
As an NCR district, Hapur serves as a transitional zone between the urbanised Delhi metropolitan area and the agricultural western Uttar Pradesh countryside. Its creation reflected wider efforts in Uttar Pradesh to bring administration closer to the population in densely settled areas, and its location on a major national highway and rail corridor makes it an important node for trade between Delhi and the eastern parts of the state.