Latest news with #WeMakeGurgaonTownhall
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gurgaon's problem is it's remote-controlled from Chandigarh, Rao Inderjit Singh says at TOI Townhall
When Rao Inderjit Singh said "we don't have the autonomy we need", the audience nodded in appreciation and agreement. It was a nod both to the minister's candour as well as his ability to get to the nucleus of the problem that affects a Gurgaon resident all year – the city's acute infrastructure and governance problem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There are few who know and can read the city as well as Singh, who is currently serving his sixth term as MP from Gurgaon and his third stint as a minister in the central govt led by Narendra Modi. So, when a question came on the city's governance, Singh's diagnosis was quick and precise. Despite the presence of senior state govt functionaries in the city and frequent visits by both the current and former CMs, key decisions regarding Gurgaon's future, he observed, continue to be made in Chandigarh. "Gurgaon is remote-controlled from Chandigarh," he said, speaking at the second edition of TOI's #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall, held on Saturday at Indiabulls Centrum Park in Sector 103. In a conversation that covered a spectrum of subjects, from the city's rain miseries to his own political career, the Union minister offered a forthright and wide-ranging address, candidly acknowledging deficiencies and also laying out his vision for what is to come in the months and years ahead. Speaking about the "Chandigarh-centric approach" that slows down decision-making in a city that helps generate the bulk of the state's revenues, Singh said, "Even when the CM is in Gurgaon, the files still have to go to Chandigarh." He acknowledged that Gurgaon contributes 60-65% of the state's total revenue but struggles to receive proportional attention in terms of development funds and infrastructure support. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "When we contribute this much, we are right to expect a fair share in return," he said. Recalling the tenure of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Singh mentioned the move to set up a grievance redress committee as a positive step, which remains active and its results visible. "But administrative limitations persist," he said. "Even Nayab Singh Saini, who now leads the grievance committee, shows interest in Gurgaon. But the problem is not intent — it is structure. We still lack the leeway to take decisions on the ground," Singh said. The minister went on to underline Gurgaon and south Haryana's deep-rooted political loyalty to BJP, seen in the consistent support for the party in both state and national elections. "These constituencies have made it possible for BJP to form the govt. Our voters here deserve more focus, more attention, and more support. And not just because they vote for us but because their needs are real, urgent and growing." To a question on whether Haryana should consider making Gurgaon its capital, Singh responded by saying it was an impractical idea. "Not a chance," he said. "Gurgaon is already bursting at the seams. We don't have enough water, infrastructure or public services to absorb that level of institutional expansion. Before we talk about a capital, we need to upgrade our current systems." However, he added, "Given our legal infrastructure and population of professionals, I believe Gurgaon should house a high court". Singh mentioned progress on highways, arterial roads and flyovers, all designed to ease the city's notorious traffic problems and improve inter-sector mobility. But there are major gaps still, he admitted. Waterlogging and inadequate sewerage systems continue to plague many areas, especially during monsoon. "Basic issues still remain. But we're actively working on them. These are not being ignored," he assured. Asked if Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), created with the vision of enabling unified urban planning for a city with too many agencies and little coordination, had, in his opinion, fulfilled its purpose, Singh said it continues to evolve and holds significant promise. "The intention behind GMDA was to bring Gurgaon under a single development umbrella. It's a work in progress, but we've taken the first steps towards autonomy. " For representatives of RWAs in new sectors around Dwarka Expressway who were among those in the audience, this was an opportunity to voice their grievances before their MP. Lack of public transport, erratic sanitation services, frequent water shortages, and poor road maintenance were the four main problems they brought up. Singh listened, took notes, and assured them he would take these up with the appropriate departments. "I will personally follow up," he said. "Your voices matter." Many in the audience said this was the first time they had been able to speak directly to their elected representative in such an open and public forum. "I'm here to listen and I will act. I may not be able to solve everything immediately, but I promise you will be heard," was Singh's message to them. As the conversation moved to his long political career, and whether he might hang up his boots as he has hinted before, Singh dismissed a question on whether he would turn his attention to state politics with a shake of the head. Does he see himself as a future CM contender? "The chief minister's chair is a bed of thorns," he said with a smile. "I'm 75 years old. I have no ambition to pursue that path." His political journey, he said, would continue in whichever direction the party deemed fit. But he made it clear he had no plans to contest another Lok Sabha election. "I think it's time for someone else. If the party insists, I will follow its directive, but my own preference is to step aside from electoral politics." He made it clear that stepping away from Parliament would not mean stepping away from public service. "Being an MP ties me to Delhi and central responsibilities. Many of the issues Gurgaon faces are local and require state-level coordination. It's frustrating not to be able to give them the attention they deserve. I'm not going anywhere. I'll continue to serve, just perhaps in a different capacity." For residents who packed the venue to listen to him, Singh had a message: "The Gurgaon of tomorrow will only thrive through cooperation, transparency and sustained civic involvement. "
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GMDA must meet at least once a month, not once or twice a year, says Rao Inderjit Singh
Gurgaon: GMDA was established to emulate the Noida Authority model as a centralised body that would steer the city's development, Union minister and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh said at TOI's #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall on Saturday. "Despite the intention of creating a one-window powerhouse, the existence of both the municipal corporation and GMDA, according to Singh, resulted in a lack of clarity regarding their respective areas of influence and administration. Conceived as a Noida Authority-like body, GMDA doesn't function as one. Formed in 2018, the development authority is now seven years old, so there's been enough time to steer it in the direction of its purpose. But the state govt has not quite been able to take it there. One of the main criticisms of GMDA is that its execution is slow and its contributions to the city's infrastructure improvements not very apparent. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Singh said when GMDA was formed, its CEO was allowed to sanction only projects up to Rs 50 lakh. Only recently, it was enhanced to Rs 2.5 crore. "The power of the MCG house (to sanction projects) was earlier Rs 2 crore only and now it has become Rs 10 crore. If you have a project which is over Rs 10 crore, it has to go to the minister, and if it is over Rs 25 crore, to the high-powered purchase committee sitting in Chandigarh. Now, this is a remote-controlled administrative setup with which I am not really very happy," said Singh, referring to the slowness of project execution in Gurgaon. In Noida, he added, Noida Authority operates through a single-window system. But Gurgaon is hobbled by multiple agencies, creating a complex administrative structure. Noida manages licences for residential colonies and plotted areas, while in Gurgaon, developers independently acquire land from farmers, aggregate it and then seek licences from the town and country planning department, said the minister, pointing out structural flaws in Gurgaon's governance. "Persistent flooding in Gurgaon stems from developers incorporating perennial waterways into their projects and constructing buildings upon them. With these natural water channels obstructed, water seeks alternative paths, resulting in widespread flooding throughout the city," he said. "Steps are being taken to establish a unified authority for issuing licences. There are concerns that the next developing city might face similar challenges as Gurgaon. It is crucial to avoid replicating the mistakes made in Gurgaon's development process in future urban expansion projects," he added. Singh also pointed out that GMDA has a meeting once a year or perhaps twice a year, which is not enough. "I mean, Gurgaon is generating so many problems every day. This is something that I'm trying to ask the chief minister to do. The GMDA meeting should not be held six-monthly. It should at least be held once a month. Even if the chief minister, who is the head of GMDA, cannot come, at least the officers should all convene once a month here in Gurgaon," said Singh.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Best platform we've had, hope our voices will now be heard, say Indiabulls Centrum Park residents at TOI Townhall
Gurgaon: The air at The Times of India's #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall in Gurgaon was buzzing with anticipation, energy, and most importantly, hope on Saturday. For residents of the Dwarka Expressway area, the new sectors and new townships like Indiabulls Centrum Park, the presence of Union Minister and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh in their midst made them feel their voices would finally pierce the curtain of indifference that seems to be drawn around, saddling them with problems ranging from the lack of public transport to water. It helped that Singh strode into the town hall more as the local MP who was there not just to speak but to listen, approachable to anyone who walked up and started a conversation. "This townhall was the best platform for our voices to reach the authorities that people living in the newly developed areas around Dwarka Expressway have ever got," said Ambrish Ranjan, president of the RWA at Indiabulls Centrum Park, the venue for the event. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon His words captured what many felt: a sense that their voices were finally echoing beyond WhatsApp groups and complaint portals and into actual policy corridors. "Today, we witnessed democracy in action, which is transparent, accountable and inclusive," added Saurav Chaudhary, general secretary of the same RWA. Indeed, the minister not only heard every concern patiently but also assured residents that he would take up each issue with the appropriate authorities and push for timely action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Singh's frankness helped as he acknowledged the limitations of centralised governance from Chandigarh and promised to work towards stronger autonomy for Gurgaon. His openness, particularly as he mentioned Gurgaon's contributions to the state's revenue and the mismatch in attention it receives in return, struck a chord with everyone in the crowd. "Moments like these remind us that democracy thrives when leaders and citizens come together," said Vikas Goyat, a local resident. For others, it wasn't just what the minister said, but the fact that he showed up in their housing society that really mattered. "This was a rare yet refreshing example of a govt representative being present, responsive and people-centric," noted resident Tushar Lahiri. He added, "At a time when urban frustration often boils over in silence, this event stood out as a bright spot, proving that when governance meets ground reality, it creates something powerful. And that is called trust."
