The rapid urbanization of the Jaipur Metropolitan Region necessitates decentralized development to mitigate core city infrastructure strain. This study critically evaluates the efficacy of designated growth centres—Shivdaspura, Chandlai, and Chomu—in achieving polycentric regional development. Employing a mixed-methods framework integrating spatial land-use analysis, accessibility metrics, and socio-economic indicators, the research assesses functional integration and governance coherence. Findings reveal divergent trajectories: Chomu demonstrates emergent sub-centre characteristics with diversifying employment, supported by its historical agricultural base. Conversely, Shivdaspura and Chandlai function primarily as residential extensions, characterized by high out-commuting, industrial fringes, and significant infrastructure deficits. Shivdaspura faces specific environmental constraints, including groundwater quality issues, complicating sustainable high-density expansion. The broader context shows accelerated conversion of agricultural land to built-up areas from 1993 to 2015, exacerbating urban heat island effects. Fragmented development and weak local job creation constrain autonomous growth dynamics. Without coordinated regional governance, the current model risks reinforcing dependent sprawl rather than establishing independent nodes. The study proposes policy measures emphasizing employment clustering around transit nodes, phased infrastructure financing linked to density, and inter-municipal revenue sharing. These strategies are essential to transition from peripheral residential sprawl to functionally robust growth centres, thereby stabilizing the metropolitan system and enhancing regional equity through sustainable, polycentric planning frameworks.