Senior administrators, urban planners, and real estate leaders in Haryana agree on the urgent need to update and strengthen the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975. This consensus was reached during a high-level roundtable organized by the Institute of Town Planners, India – Haryana Regional Chapter (ITPI–HRC) in Panchkula. The event marked 51 years of the legislation that laid the groundwork for planned urban development in the state.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the chief guest at the event, emphasized the necessity for urban policies and regulatory frameworks to adapt to sustainability challenges, infrastructure needs, rapid urban growth, and changing citizen demands. While acknowledging the Act’s past contributions to planned urban growth and economic development, Rastogi highlighted the importance of elevating it to meet current requirements.
Rastogi stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among government bodies, planners, and industry stakeholders to ensure balanced, inclusive, and future-ready urban development in Haryana. He also noted the significant role the Act has played in shaping the state’s urbanization journey over the last five decades. The roundtable, structured into three sessions, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on enhancing the Act’s provisions to tackle modern urban challenges and promote sustainable development.
The Leaders’ Roundtable included Chief Secretary Rastogi, T.L. Satyaprakash from the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, Amit Khatri from Town and Country Planning, Haryana, and former officials S.S. Dhillon and T.C. Gupta. The session, moderated by former Chief Town Planner Jaswant Singh, focused on strengthening the Act to address current urban issues, enhance infrastructure resilience, and establish effective regulatory mechanisms for the future. The Institute of Town Planners, India – Haryana Regional Chapter (ITPI–HRC), established in 2006, has been actively advocating for planned and sustainable urban development in Haryana.
