Haryana CM chairs first-ever GMDA meet

Gurugram: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has hailed Gurugram as the icon city of the State and said it has the potential to become number one city of the country as well.

To make Gurugram a world class city, the Chief Minister, accompanied by veteran Ahirwal leaders Rao Narbir and Rao Inderjit Singh, chaired the first ever official meet of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).

It may be noted this was the first official meet of GMDA, eight months after it was formally set up.

The head of the state interacted with not only the senior public officials in charge of the city but also senior business leaders, NGO'S and multinational company officials. The major emphasis was on to improve the infrastructure of the city. Among the major projects that were discussed included setting up of the medical college, making Old Delhi road signal free, extension of metro line, removal of Kherki Dhaula toll plaza and the completion of Dwarka expressway.

With most of these projects taking a long time for completion, solutions were sought on finishing these vital projects in a specific time frame.

Briefing the media after the meeting the Chief Minister said his government was committed in the progress and development of Gurugram. It is important to note that GMDA was set up to streamline the services in the city that is run by multiple agencies.

Besides having a major function of initiating urban infrastructure development, GMDA will also have the powers in real estate matters in the city. The GMDA can also acquire, lease, hold, manage and dispose of land. GMDA will also have the rights to acquire land for implementation of plans for infrastructure development plans. For acquiring the land, the GMDA will be responsible for the compensation procedures and getting the land notified from the State Government.

GMDA has also been mandated for collection of External Development Charges (EDC) and will also have the powers to levy the duty on transfer of immovable property situated within the notified areas of the city. At present the land related affairs in Gurugram is being handled by Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).