Transparency will be a challenge: Gurgaon authority OSD

Officer on special duty to Gurugram Development Authority, V Umashankar, a 1993 batch IAS officer, spoke about the GDA in an interaction with HT

Officer on special duty to Gurugram Development Authority, V Umashankar, a 1993 batch IAS officer, spoke about the GDA in an interaction with HT.

What will be the role of GDA?

GDA will be an infrastructure planning and implementation body that will ensure that everyone (other government agencies) do their work according to the plan. In coordination with all agencies, the authority will provide integrated planning for development of urban infrastructure, amenities, management of urban environment, social, economic and industrial development.

What is biggest challenge in formation of the authority?

It is formation of the right structure, transparency, accountability and credibility of the authority. There is a need for the right kind of people and right the vision for the authority to succeed. We do not want the authority to be formed with loopholes that causes problems later.

Which model have you followed for the draft bill?

We have prepared a draft to address issues of a city like Gurugram. We studied models of various cities, including Jaipur and Noida, but have not followed any one city in totality. The closest model is Mumbai metropolitan region development authority. But our draft has made provisions of transparency that is not in others.

Will GDA affect roles of MCG and Huda?

MCG is formed through constitutional provisions to provide public representation and it will remain intact. The Huda has two roles. One, is to issue licences, carve out and sell plots. Second, is to plan and provide master services. The first role will remain with Huda and it will do internal development. The GDA will take over the second role.

What will be GDA’s jurisdiction?

It will be controlled area, which is presently the entire Gurugram district. In formation of development agencies, problems of urbanisation and potential urbanisation have to be kept in mind. At a later stage, the controlled area may include area out of the district