Haryana’s industries and commerce minister, Rao Narbir Singh, announced a slew of infrastructure projects, estimated to be worth a total of ₹800 crore, aimed at enhancing Gurugram’s connectivity and development. Speaking during his “thanksgiving tour” in Vatika City (Sector 49) and South Close (Sector 50) on Sunday, Singh outlined plans for an elevated road from the Gurugram-Jaipur National Highway to Vatika Chowk and four flyovers between Vatika Chowk and Ghata, officials said on Sunday.
Rao Narbir Singh during his “thanksgiving tour” in Vatika City (Sector 49) and South Close (Sector 50) on Sunday. (@RaoNarbirSingh-Facebook)
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During the tour, Singh said that the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and assured residents that ground-level work would commence soon. “The next five years will lay the foundation for Gurugram’s golden future,” he said, adding that public participation and feedback would remain central to all projects.
The minister also emphasised the timely completion of initiatives, adding, “A clean and beautiful Gurugram is a collective responsibility, and infrastructure projects must be completed on time to deliver maximum benefit to residents.”
Community centre and green belt initiatives
Singh also addressed local concerns, announcing that construction of a community centre in South Close would begin within two months. The cabinet minister also pledged to clear encroachments along the 12-kilometre Vatika Chowk-Ghata Green Belt by January 31, appointing RS Bath, the district town planner (DTP), as the nodal officer to oversee the process. “Preserving the city’s green spaces is a priority,” Singh added.
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Singh further called on officials to submit proposals for future development projects to expedite government approvals. “We are committed to creating a modern and sustainable Gurugram,” he added.
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Singh further called on officials to submit proposals for future development projects to expedite government approvals. “We are committed to creating a modern and sustainable Gurugram,” he added.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
