After a longish stint at HUDA, where he ruffled several feathers, Dr. Praveen Kumar was given charge of MCG, to make things happen in an organisation that hardly has any operational freedom, and has all the responsibilities but precious little delegation (from Chandigarh). The Commissioner, true to his ‘style’, has raised a storm by ordering demolitions at Sadar Bazar and Nathupur Village, setting up structures at the Bio-diversity Park, getting into a spat with the Mayor and his team of Councillors, assuming charge of the Raahgiri Day event and unsettling long-time employees and systems in the Corporation. More than his decisions, what sets Kumar apart is his ‘hands-on’ approach to the problems at hand. Critics however say that his approach is hasty, he has a preset agenda and believes in a 'my way or the highway' philosophy. Kumar denies the allegations and says that most of the opposition comes from people who have vested interests and want the system to remain at a perpetual status quo level. In a day long interaction, during which the MCG Commissioner addressed a press conference, took NGO workers to search for dogs, organised a lunch, visited the Sadar Bazar area and undertook an inspection of the revered Sheetla Mata temple, Friday Gurgaon tries to reassess what the Commissioner really stands for and why he invokes such sharp reactions from various people – some of whom (including FG) had earlier hailed him as a ‘hero’. It may be recalled that Kumar had been eulogised by all sections of society for taking on the encroachers on HUDA land (though most now believe that it was a smokescreen for a ‘real estate’ exercise).
It seems that Kumar has now come under strong fire because he has moved his ‘demolition focus’ to the urban villages. Interestingly, a recent survey conducted by MCG reveals that almost 700 acres of municipal land has been encroached by vested interests. Kumar says that they have initiated a process for its recovery, and utilisation for the benefit of the City. Further, seemingly unfazed by the challenges posed by the Nathupur Village protesters, who have even approached the State government and demanded an FIR against him, the MCG Commissioner reiterates that he is on a strong legal wicket, and all actions have been taken on the basis of maps and data that are available with the MCG. "Those very people who have encroached on the municipal land have started this campaign against me, as they have vested interests. In several villages the local strongmen have made constructions on MCG land, and this is the reason for the tirade", he says. When asked about the ‘midnight demolitions’ strategy preferred by him, Kumar says that the reason for this is that the roads are empty at that time and there is no need to rush. In Sadar Bazar area, where he had recently ordered demolitions, Kumar says that MCG can take a compassionate stand and offer the affected people a share in the proposed multi-storeyed commercial building, as also residential accommodation - provided they co-operate with the authorities. He admits that the actions initiated by him against illegal encroachments are dangerous work, and there is constant threat to his life. However, he believes that if he is able to recover even half the encroached land, he will consider it a major achievement. "If the intention is right, then the process and systems become responsive and start functioning," he asserts, while standing in the middle of Sadar Bazar under the hot blazing sun, with hundreds of onlookers gazing at him. The MCG Commissioner evokes strong reactions: the entire market (Sadar) goes into a huddle, and even roadside vendors run helter-skelter to ‘save’ their wares. A few days earlier Kumar had ordered a major drive against illegal vendors and unauthorised extensions in Sadar Bazar, which met with both support and opposition from the trader community. Referring to the recent spat over demolitions with the Mayor and Councillors, during the special meeting of the House, Kumar says that he always listens to the elected representatives of MCG. "I listen to them but it is not possible that I call them every time a decision has to be taken. The MCG has to function in a certain manner, and the system cannot be held hostage to the whims and fancies of a few Councillors. The Commissioner has to address numerous issues in his day to day functioning," asserts Kumar. He also points out that it is not right to expect reciprocity when the Councillors are belittling and mocking him at every forum, and opposing every decision taken by him. Pointing to a recent protest against him, in which some miscreants had brought a donkey, Kumar says that instead of mocking him the people should learn from the qualities of the animal - which works diligently and without any fuss or complaint. "I would wish to imbibe these qualities so that I am able to better serve the society," he asserts. Another issue that has put the spotlight on the Commissioner is his decision to abruptly take over the Raahgiri Day, an event that was being organised by some local NGOs. Despite a High Court Order that has allowed the NGOs to ‘operate’ their social activities without permission, asked the MCG to take the NGOs in confidence, Kumar did not allow them to do so – rudely ejecting them instead. Kumar says that civil society is welcome to organise the Raahgiri event, but it needs to consult the MCG and take the requisite permissions under which such an event can be performed. He does not deny the HC Order but reiterates that the NGO will have to co-ordinate with the Municipality. "There are several issues involved. If tomorrow an untoward incident takes place, who will be responsible? If the MCG cannot handle the functioning of the City, then who will do it? Tomorrow some other NGOs can come up and say that we are going to conduct activities and want no intervention from the government. Civil society needs to work with us and take joint decisions," says Kumar. He adds that his interpretation of the HC Order is different from what the NGOs are stating. The Bio-diversity Park project, which is also being run by an NGO, has also been a bone of contention, as the MCG Chief wants to undertake some ‘projects’ within the Park, but these have been vehemently opposed by environmentalists and local activists. While Kumar had to shelve some of his plans - including a concrete cage for bird feeding, a herbal garden and an ayurvedic garden - after a recent meeting with the NGOs, he reiterates that his focus would remain the development a Bio-diversity corridor on Delhi’s border, and the creation of water bodies in the Park. He believes that the Park can act as a green lung of the City. He is critical of the work that has been done till date.
The expansion of civic infrastructure in the MCG areas and the resolution of traffic woes at Hero Honda Chowk, IFFCO Chowk and Rajiv Chowk is also at the top of the municipal agenda. Kumar says that MCG has decided to set up two U-shaped underpasses at both ends of the IFFCO Chowk flyover. "Our officials studied all the four plans submitted by the consultant and discussed the same with NHAI. We have selected the most feasible plan,” he says. He adds that the consultant was told to consider the traffic increase in the next 50 years and also the likely expansion of Delhi Metro through this area. MCG also plans to construct a drain near the Hero Honda Chowk to check the waterlogging problem, which is a major concern during the monsoon. The NHAI has to approve the design; the project cost is Rs. 17 crores. The MCG also plans to build a multi-level parking facility in the vicinity of Sadar Bazar. An important project that will begin in the next few months will be a remodelled sanitation and garbage collection system for the MCG areas. Kumar says that MCG is getting only 20 per cent results despite spending almost Rs 2 crores a month on these efforts. "We plan to segregate the garbage and waste by marking separate bins for organic and inorganic waste, and a major drive will be launched for this purpose. Dresses would be issued to the cleaning staff and they would be held accountable for their work," he says. Asked when the Waste Treatment Plant at Bandhwari would become functional again, the MCG Commissioner says that efforts are being made to somehow get it started, but he admits that it will take some time before something happens. MCG is meanwhile trying to find out alternatives for treating the waste, he says. The MCG Commissioner also takes credit for the major efforts being made by his Department to promote rainwater harvesting, and to plant trees in the Aravallis. "We have built a large number of natural structures, cresent-moon like structures and rain harvesting wells, to ensure that water can be harvested. Large natural ponds have been created in the hills, and these will go a long way in improving the water table," asserts the MCG Chief. He believes that these initiatives would resolve the problem of drinking water supply in the coming year. Meanwhile, for now, he agrees that ‘old’ Gurgaon is suffering severe water problems, for which an emergency meeting has been called. Kumar admits that problems in most areas are genuine and he is trying to resolve them by sometimes taking an unconventional approach – but the status quoist mindset of the people inhibits the acceptance of any innovative solution. He says that even the issue of unauthorised construction in the restricted area (900 meters) around the IAF Ammunition Depot can have a humane solution, but none of the stake holders wants to act in a manner that can help end this dispute. "We have the technology, engineering skills and even the land, to find a far better answer, but the people need to be flexible and open to fresh ideas," says the MCG Commissioner. As we speak, an owner of a sweet shop requests him to open the road block at the entry of Sadar Bazar; to which Kumar replies, in his usual style, that the area would be video-graphed for a few days before a decision is taken. υ
Kumar says that people oppose him because he questions the established systems and practices. There is inertia in the system, and people don’t want to learn and/or change. Criticising his own department officials for lack of knowledge and skills, the MCG Chief recently recommended a skill test for engineers in the Municipality. Those who fail this test might be sent back to their parent departments. It is another decision that has ruffled many feathers – this time within MCG.
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