How can HUDA just walk away?

  • Abhishek Behl / FG
  • India
  • Feb 13, 2015

The Gurgaon Manesar Master Plan 2031 expanded the footprint of the City manifold, but the infrastructure and the delivery of basic services has remained inversely proportional to the speed with which Real Estate ‘development’ has taken place in and around Gurgaon. HUDA, the State's development agency, has not been able to build and/or upgrade the basic infrastructure in sectors that it reportedly ‘developed’ more than two decades ago. A good life for its residents remains a pipe dream. The recent decision of the Haryana government to transfer a number of HUDA sectors in ‘Old’ Gurgaon to the Municipal Corporation (MCG) is further going to complicate matters. RWA members and residents of the sectors that will be impacted are vehemently opposing the proposed transfer, and want the development agency to first deliver the missing infrastructure, and only thereafter think of transferring maintenance to MCG. In a number of sectors the basic civic and social infrastructure, such as dispensaries, playgrounds and community centres, which had been part of the sectors’ plans,  has still not been set up. Even basic amenities like roads, lanes and drains, sewage system and water supply are in poor shape in these sectors. The HUDA sectors residents are also deeply concerned about the ability of the Municipal Corporation to manage and maintain their sectors, as it is not able to manage the small colonies and 40 urban villages that are currently under its jurisdiction. JS Lamba, President, Sector 9 RWA, says that while the Master Plan has added 58 more sectors to the City on paper, the government agencies of the City have failed to deliver in even those sectors that were ‘developed’ almost 20 years ago. Lamba says that six primary and nursery schools, which were to be part of his sector, have not been developed by HUDA. There was provision for a dispensary, clinic, fire station and library, which today are crucial needs of the residents, but these have not been developed. “When development has not been completed, how can the sector be transferred? The residents had to even fight for the completion of the storm water drainage from House no. 831 to 1253, and it was finally sanctioned last year - but work is still pending due to departmental tussles,” alleges Lamba. The residents are shocked by this sudden move to transfer the sectors to MCG. Further, such a big move should be very meticulously planned – and should include the complete transfer of manpower, land, funds and all other resources

The RWAs of the sectors that are proposed to be transferred to MCG, are also peeved that the meeting scheduled by HUDA and MCG, to address the concerns of residents, is being repeatedly postponed. Officials of the agencies have cited busy schedules as ‘excuses’ for the postponement. JN Yadav, President of (HUDA) Sector 4 RWA, says that the Administration has failed to convince the residents about this move, as there are only promises but no concrete plans. “At present HUDA, despite being a development agency (not a maintenance agency like MCG), has some system for the resolution of problems, and finally finds a solution to some of our basic issues. But MCG,  despite being set up for maintenance, has not developed any expertise on this even after 5 years,” says Yadav. The problems are the same in Sector 10, where the residents fear that basic sanitation, water and roads would become major problems, because MCG just does not have the wherewithal. Manoj Yadav, President, Sector 10 RWA, says that sewerage has been a major problem in their sector, and water supply is still inadequate. However, the worst problem being faced by Sector 10 residents is the presence of a large number of stray animals, particularly monkeys and pigs, which has made life difficult for them. Yadav says that multiple complaints to the MCG (routed through HUDA) have failed to resolve even this relatively small problem - because the monkey catcher employed by MCG has not been paid for the last four assignments! “That is MCG. Further, it does not have the money and resources to look after its own area, how can it take care of large (in area and population) HUDA sectors in addition?” asks Yadav. A dispensary and post office are still awaited in this sector, while the community centre is in a shambles. Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Sector 23, says that basic social infrastructure such as playgrounds, parks, clubs, hospitals and dispensaries should in fact be first developed in a sector before the residents are allowed to move in. He further alleges that while HUDA sectors in ‘Old’ Gurgaon at least have sector roads, and ‘legal’ water and power connections, many ‘New’ Gurgaon colony builders have managed to get Occupation Certificates for their apartment complexes despite the absence of such basic civic infrastructure and facilities. “Why should the City be allowed to expand if there is already pressure on the water, power and other basic infrastructure? The government must not repeat the mistakes in the new sectors, as it will make life miserable for all,” he adds. JN Yadav, President, Sector 4 RWA, which is one of the oldest and finest sectors as far as planning is concerned, says that residents do not have faith in MCG. “There is a lack of systems, engineering skills, manpower and resources in MCG. We want the government to first transfer and appoint adequate and relevant experience manpower, and set up parallel systems that can manage large modern areas. Already HUDA staff has refused to join MCG,” he says. Another major issue would be the transfer of funds and land – despite HUDA being very cash rich. MCG is unlikely to get any funds from HUDA or even the possession of vacant plots of land -  which could be developed further to earn revenue. Sector 4 today has almost 25 parks (several of these being one acre in area), a huge community centre spread over 5 acres of land, and wide roads. Sector 15 Part II, which is home to some top officials, retired bureaucrats and even former ministers, is also resisting the transfer. Raja Ram, President of the RWA, alleges that the drainage system in the sector is non-functional, the rainwater has no point to exit, and the storm water from Sector 31 gets collected in this area. “We already face a lot of problems under HUDA, and don’t see that MCG would be able to resolve the problems,” he says. The residents’ demand for a religious place and a sports ground for children has been pending for years. Ashok Rana, President of Sector 23 RWA, says that their sector is one of the largest in the City, and there was a plan for three markets, one high school and a number of other facilities, to cater to the 10,000 families residing there. “Only one market has been developed, which also remains choked; there is a small community centre at the corner of a colony, which remains unused; there is no good playground, and no nursery or primary school has been set up,” alleges Rana. He adds that for the large population of Sectors 21, 22, 23 and 23 A, there is need to set up a HUDA Club, for which land is available - but the government is not willing to take action. Rana believes that the transfer of maintenance will just mean the transfer of responsibilities, but no equivalent transfer of assets will take place. “MCG must be given the  authority and accountability for the development and maintenance of all vacant land and plots in these sectors. HUDA must leave these sectors, like they and private builders do everywhere else - but they all must first deliver on their promises. The RWA members also want MCG to have a central office in ‘Old’ Gurgaon that offers ‘single window’ clearance. RWAs should also be involved in the decision making process for the setting up of infrastructure and facilities related to these sectors.

Critics say that the benefit of the transfers of HUDA (and private) sectors to MCG is that the City would have a single authority to manage civic services. However, MCG first needs to be provided administrative and technical depth, and empowered. Of course some even want a Mayor-led, empowered MCG. Urban governance experts add that before any transfer of sectors takes place on the instructions of someone in Chandigarh/Panchkula, MCG should be empowered with Functions, Funds and Functionaries as outlined in the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act 1993, and as recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (also called Moily Report), so that MCG can become the ‘institution of local governance’, and not only as a (mere) maintenance agency. Further, Ward Committees should be formed so that residents can contribute to the developmental decisions. The City’s older areas  - many of them HUDA sectors - too need to be reviewed for retrofitting and infrastructure improvement. 

It’s the classic chicken and egg story. Will HUDA do now what it should have, but hasn’t, for 20 years? Will MCG be able to do what it hasn’t done (nor been allowed to do) for 5 years? Will HUDA hand over all its assets, or try and play smart? Funnily, we are not talking some special privileges here – just the delivery of facilities and services for which money was paid decades ago. The CM or Chief Secretary needs to step in, and decide in the best interest of residents – in Gurgaon or elsewhere. The patience of Aam Aadmis is running out. 

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