Chandigarh, June 16-  Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that mayors, as the first citizens, play a significant  role in ensuring 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 Sh. 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. Sh. 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.

Mayors : 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 go beyond infrastructure like buildings and roads and focus on making cities vibrant, sensitive, and self-reliant. Nayab Singh Saini said nearly 900 million people will live in cities in India by 2047, calling it not just a number but a vast opportunity for new infrastructure, new lifestyles, and new possibilities. He emphasized that this transition must align 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. The government has established four Metropolitan Development Authorities and is developing cities like Faridabad and Karnal 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. Nayab Singh Saini shared that the government has regularized 2,417 unauthorized colonies and is carrying out development works worth Rs. 1,000 crore in the newly authorized colonies.

Major Achievements in Urban Transport, Housing, and Solid Waste Management

The Chief Minister said the government has spent Rs. 2,930 crore so far under the AMRUT Mission. Of the target to deploy 375 electric buses, 50 are already operating across 9 cities, and the government will procure 450 more buses by 2026 under the PM-eBus Seva Scheme. He shared that the government has constructed 21,431 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and is constructing 11,412 more. Under the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, the government has allotted plots to 15,256 families across 14 cities. 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. These include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and toilet construction. He stated 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.