115th meeting of the All India Mayor's executive council held in Panchkula
Mayors are the Architects of City Development, they Lead the Way in Urban Development, says CM
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 16, 2025- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that mayors, as the first citizens, play a significant role in ensuring the development and progress of the cities.
He emphasized that mayors implement government policies and schemes on the ground, understand the aspirations of citizens, and work to resolve their issues.
In the vision of local self-governance, mayors are akin to the backbone, said Nayab Singh Saini while addressing the 115th meeting of the All India Mayor's Executive Council held on Monday in Panchkula.
Cities: Engines of Economic Growth, Hubs of Innovation
The Chief Minister said that in Haryana, mayors are directly elected by the people and possess executive powers. This system creates a strong bridge between citizens and their representatives, making the decision-making process more accountable and effective, he added.
Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, as the nation progresses toward the goal of a “Developed India,” the role of cities has become increasingly crucial. Cities are not just places of residence, they are engines of economic growth, centers of innovation, and confluences of cultural exchange, he said.
Haryana views Urbanization as an Opportunity, Not a Challenge
The Chief Minister said that Haryana views urbanization not as a challenge but as an opportunity. The state's vision is to make cities a blend of "Ease of Living" and "Ease of Doing Business."
He stressed that urban development must not be limited to infrastructure like buildings and roads but must also focus on making cities vibrant, sensitive, and self-reliant.
He said that by 2047, nearly 900 million people in India are expected to live in cities. This is not just a number but a vast opportunity, for new infrastructure, new lifestyles, and new possibilities, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. He emphasized the need for this transition to be aligned with planned urbanization, digital integration, and environmental sustainability.
Accelerated Urban Development in Haryana
The Chief Minister informed that in Haryana, the budget allocated to Urban Local Bodies has increased from Rs. 1,693 crore in 2014–15 to Rs. 5,666 crore in 2025–26. Four Metropolitan Development Authorities have been established, and cities like Faridabad and Karnal are being developed as Smart Cities.
Under this initiative, 45 projects worth Rs. 930 crore are underway in Faridabad, while 122 projects worth Rs. 927 crore are ongoing in Karnal. Besides this, 2417 unauthorized colonies have been regularized, and development works worth Rs. 1,000 crore are being carried out in newly authorized colonies, shared Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
Major Achievements in Urban Transport, Housing, and Solid Waste Management
The Chief Minister said that under the AMRUT Mission, Rs. 2,930 crore has been spent so far. Of the target to deploy 375 electric buses, 50 have already started operations across 9 cities, and 450 more buses will be procured by 2026 under the PM-eBus Seva Scheme.
He shared that 21,431 houses have been constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), and 11,412 houses are under construction. Under the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, 15,256 families across 14 cities have been allotted plots.
He lauded the state’s commendable efforts in solid waste management through door-to-door collection, community composting, and biogas plants. All urban service delivery processes have been simplified and digitized to enhance accessibility for citizens.
Call to Mayors to Brand Their Cities
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the meeting would serve as a milestone in reviewing past experiences, discussing new challenges, and strengthening mayoral institutions.
He called upon all mayors to brand their cities, give them a unique identity, and actively participate in this mission. He expressed confidence that the council’s deliberations would lead to constructive discussions and new resolutions, with each delegate becoming an agent of positive transformation in their respective cities.
India’s Progress Under Prime Minister Modi
The Chief Minister remarked that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, India has witnessed unprecedented progress over the last 11 years. In 2014, when the Prime Minister assumed office, India’s economy was ranked 11th globally.
Today, it is established as the 4th largest economy and is projected to become the 3rd largest by 2029. The Prime Minister’s resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047 will surely be realized, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
He emphasized that by enabling direct elections for mayors and chairpersons, the government has elevated their status and accelerated the pace of development.
In line with the spirit of Antyodaya, it is essential that development schemes reach the last person, and mayors must work with even greater responsibility to achieve this, said the Chief Minister.
Appreciation and Inspiration from the Indore Model
The Chief Minister praised Indore’s performance in cleanliness rankings and encouraged mayors and councillors to study its model for implementation in Haryana’s cities.
He commended the role of mayors in successfully implementing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and toilet construction, stating that mayors are instrumental in bringing these schemes to life on the ground.
Rajya Sabha MP Sh. Kartikeya Sharma, MLA from Kalka, Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, All India Mayor Council President, Smt. Madhuri Atul Patel, Organizing General Secretary and Former Madhya Pradesh Minister, Sh. Umashankar, Senior Vice President, Council and Mayor of Karnal, Smt. Renu Bala Gupta, Mayor, Panchkula Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal, and mayors from various states.