Rama Krishna Puram area was built in the second phase of the extension of New Delhi.

Construction of R K Puram started in the late 1950s by acquiring illegally occupied barren lands.

Som Vihar, named after Maj Som Nath Sharma, Param Vir Chakra, came up in the mid-eighties as a cooperative housing society for defence forces officers under the aegis of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation, in what is sometimes referred to as Sector 10.

Some high-rise apartment blocks like Nivedita Kunj for senior officers were added in the 1990s.

Gradually markets were added in each pocket, and schools and places of worship were also built.