Sign in

HT Interview: ‘Participation of citizens will be key in Manesar Municipal Corporation ’

Yadav’s campaign has resonated with voters annoyed with long-standing civic issues. She believes that Manesar needs an independent voice rather than a party-backed candidate

Published on: Feb 22, 2025, 05:50:13 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

Gurugram: Independent candidate Dr Inderjit Yadav has emerged as a strong contender for the mayor’s post in the Manesar Municipal Corporation (MCM), drawing support from both villages and urban societies. Her campaign has resonated with voters annoyed with long-standing civic issues. She believes that Manesar needs an independent voice rather than a party-backed candidate. Edited excerpts:

Dr Inderjeet Yadav, an independent candidate for the mayor’s post in Manesar during the campaign at Fazalwas village in Manesar, on Friday. (PARVEEN KUMAR/HT)
Dr Inderjeet Yadav, an independent candidate for the mayor’s post in Manesar during the campaign at Fazalwas village in Manesar, on Friday. (PARVEEN KUMAR/HT)

Q: Your campaign has seen support from both villagers and urban dwellers in Manesar. What do you think is driving this wave of support?

A: The people of Manesar have been neglected for too long. Whether it’s infrastructure, water supply, waste management, or roads, our basic amenities have deteriorated under party-led administrations. Voters now want a leader who belongs to them—not someone who is here just for power. My work over the years has built trust among the people.

Q: Manesar faces sanitation and waste management issues. What steps will you take to improve cleanliness in the city?

A: The condition of sanitation in Manesar is alarming. Overflowing garbage bins, illegal dumping, and clogged drains are major problems that need urgent attention. If elected, I will ensure that waste collection is done on time in every ward, introduce a waste segregation system at the source, and implement a penalty system for illegal dumping.

Q: The Kherki Daula toll is a major cause of traffic congestion. What is your plan to address this issue?

A: The removal of the Kherki Daula toll is one of my top priorities. This toll has been a source of daily traffic chaos for commuters, leading to unnecessary delays and pollution. We will either remove it or get exemption for residents of the area.

Q: The condition of roads in Manesar remains poor, especially in industrial and residential areas. What improvements can residents expect?

A: The poor condition of roads is a reflection of the lack of accountability in previous administrations. Many roads are riddled with potholes, uneven patches, and poor drainage systems, leading to severe waterlogging during rains. If elected, I will ensure that all major roads in residential, industrial, and village areas are properly paved, repaired, and well-lit.

Q: The newly formed Manesar Municipal Corporation (MCM) is holding its first-ever elections. How do you plan to shape the governance of this new civic body?

A: The formation of MCM is an opportunity for better governance in Manesar. We are starting afresh, which means we have a chance to set the right policies from day one. My focus will be on transparency and accountability—every ward should have a direct grievance redressal system, and I will ensure that funds are allocated efficiently and not wasted on unnecessary projects. Citizen participation will be key, and I will introduce public town halls every quarter where residents can raise concerns.

  • Leena Dhankhar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Leena Dhankhar

    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.Read More