Gurugram 2.0 plan in the works, to be built over 50,000 hectares

CHANDIGARH: After returning to power for a consecutive term, the Haryana government has put in the works the blueprint of a “Dream City”, a planned urban settlement that will flank Gurugram. The proposed city, the government hopes, will ease pressure on Delhi and Gurugram, and will be developed over 50,000 hectares to the south of Millennium City, spanning 159 villages of Rewari, Gurgaon, and Mewat districts. “Gurugram 2.0”, as it is being touted, will be developed as a Smart City, and officials said, will have shaded streets and ample space for pedestrians said.

A meeting of the core group, comprising top officials of town and country planning, industries, urban local bodies, development and panchayat departments and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was held in October before the assembly elections to seek inputs on the draft interim report prepared by the project consultant, M/s AECOM India Pvt Ltd.

The master plan of the new city was being worked out, officials said, with a focus on projections till the year 2040. AECOM also conducted a kick off and inception meeting of the project in May 2019, which was chaired by Rajesh Khullar, the principal secretary to the chief minister.

“The new city adjoining Gurugram is a major step towards planned urbanisation along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and alleviating pressures on existing urban centres in the region,’’ an official said.

Outgoing additional chief secretary, industries and commerce, Devender Singh said the government plans to hold a comprehensive review of the project soon. “The suggestions of the core group members will be incorporated before the next round of deliberations,’’ Singh said.

He said the proposed new city adjoining Gurugram was a part of state government’s larger plan to set up five cities along the alignment of KMP Expressway in the national capital region (NCR). A Panchgram Development Authority will be set up to fast track the projects. “A draft Bill was presented to the council of ministers earlier this year. Following suggestions from the ministers, it is being reshaped and will be put up before the cabinet again,’’ Singh said.

As per the AECOM report, the planning of the “Dream City” presented several opportunities that can be leveraged to make it an emerging economic growth centre.

“The new city will be strategically located with direct access from multiple roads and railway network.

To make the city livable, adequate land will be earmarked for public facilities and amenities like universities, colleges, schools, institutional areas, public officers, open spaces, forests, stadiums and parks,’’ said a Haryana official.

Issues like seismic vulnerability, water scarcity, transportation would be kept in mind during the planning stages. Besides, the development and planning strategy would consider the existing villages and towns to ensure a reciprocal relationship between urban and rural areas, officials said.

The consultant’s report said that in the first stage of planning, they carried out extensive baseline data analysis, including a physical site survey.

“The consultants have identified development and no development zones, done land suitability analysis, assessment of potential development and growth directions and prepared three feasible spatial alternatives,’’ said an official.