‘Will save the Aravallis, end pollution in 5 yrs’: Rao Inderjit Singh

The two-time Gurgaon MP says city bus service, Metro extension, RRTS all part of work to reduce pollution and improve transportation in south Haryana.

Two-time Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh, also the Union minister of state, is seeking another term from the constituency, which he says has been his political ‘karmabhumi’. Singh was also a minister in the previous UPA regime (2004-2009) but his differences with state political leadership led him to switch sides in 2014. He says the move has not only helped him as a politician, but benefitted the entire south Haryana as it ensured uniform development and infrastructure growth, something it lacked earlier.

Gurugram, India- January 22, 2019: Union minister of state and Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh during an interview with Hindustan Times, in Gurugram, India, on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. (Photo by Yogendra Kumar/Hindustan Times) To Go With Abhishek Behl Story (Yogendra Kumar/HT PHOTO)

What are the achievement of your government since 2014 as far as Gurgaon and Haryana are concerned?

One of the most important changes that has happened is that governance has become fair, transparent and result-oriented. The discrimination and favouritism based on caste, region and community has reduced to a large extent. For the first time, we have seen government recruitment happening across Haryana in a fair manner. Jobs went only to meritorious; around 4,000 young people from Gurgaon, Rewari, Bawal and Mewat got government jobs. Earlier, the revenue was generated in Gurgaon but was transferred to other areas at the region’s cost. A lot of work has happened in Mewat as well with new jobs going to youth. Schools and colleges are being upgraded and canal water is reaching the region.

Despite assurances that Gurugram would become a great city, it has acquired the dubious distinction of being the most polluted in country. Trees are being felled at an alarming rate while pollution levels are increasing.

With people’s blessing, the priority of my next term would be to reduce pollution in the city and for this various measures are being planned. Firstly, the city bus service would be expanded to 200 buses by end of July itself. The DPR for extension of Metro has been sent to Union urban ministry and it will also get approval soon. Thirdly, the work on Rapid Rail Transit System, from Delhi to Alwar, has started and this project will transform commuting in south Haryana. However, the most important thing would be to ensure that character and nature of Aravallis is protected and remains unchanged. I will ensure that these hills continue to protect the entire NCR from desertification. Reviving village ponds and proper rainwater harvesting would also be key priorities.

As a two-time MP, what were the key development initiatives taken to improve the quality of life in Gurugram?

In 2014, when BJP government came to power, one of the most serious problems was perennial traffic congestion on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, which had a ripple effect across the city. We realized that there was need to boost infrastructure. I approached the state government and the NHAI; this ensured that projects were approved and constructed at a fast pace. I thank Union transport ministry and state government for supporting this initiative. Traffic jams are far less now. The Dwarka Expressway will be completed in next two years and Sohna Road will also be upgraded. The problem of Hero Honda Chowk jams has been solved. The GMDA has been set up and state has made a new rule which states that EDC generated in a city will only be spent there. This is excellent for Gurugram, where large-scale upgradation is required and it will be done in the next five years.

The Congress says that they will get majority of votes in Mewat because of the failure of BJP government in developing the area. What would you say to that?

It is wrong to say that there was no development in Mewat because we have data in support of what we did. A project to develop feeder canal for distributing water was launched at the cost of ₹633 crore, a dental college project for ₹150 crore was launched, a Unani medical college has been approved, among other things. Over 100 link roads have developed and schools upgraded. For the first time, Mewati youth got government jobs on merit. There is a negative campaign being carried out against the BJP but we have tried to challenge the perception on ground. I am sure that we will get more votes than we got in Mewat last time.

You and the BJP are seeking votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Do you think it will ensure party’s victory in this election?

We are seeking votes in the name of PM Modi and the work done by our governments in the state and the Centre. The ‘One Rank One Pension’ decision for Armed forced, the stipend for farmers, Ujjwala scheme, Jandhan scheme and Ayushman Bharat have improved the lives of the people and they are going to vote for us. In Haryana also there has been change in mode of governance and people are realizing that.

People say that you have not been visible in the constituency. Would you agree?

I want to tell the people that as an MP my job is to legislate and hold the executive accountable. I have been doing that. As an MP, the first thing  I did was to invite the Union transport minister to inspect the Hero Honda Chowk and Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. I have been in numerous meetings with the district administration, state government and in my own ministry to ensure lives of people are improved across the country and particularly in Gurgaon. Despite that if people think my presence is required more then I would spend more time in the constituency in the next five years.