*India moving towards becoming number one in metro service availability - Manohar Lal*

*28.5 km-long metro corridor to be built at a cost of Rs 5,500 crore in Gurugram*

*Union Housing Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini perform Bhoomi Pujan*

Chandigarh, Sept 5 – Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh Manohar Lal said that metro services are expanding rapidly across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. In 2014, metro services were available over just 248 km in 5 cities. Today, this network has grown to 1,066 km across 24 cities, with another 970 km metro service is in the pipeline. Once completed, India will emerge as the world’s number one country in metro service availability.

Sh Manohar Lal was addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the Gurugram Metro Bhoomi Pujan program, organized by Gurugram Metro Rail Limited at the Gurugram University Campus Auditorium on Friday. The event was presided over by Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini. Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma, Sohna MLA Tejpal Tanwar, and Pataudi MLA Bimla Chaudhary were also present.

On the occasion, the Union Minister and the Chief Minister extended greetings to the people on Teachers’ Day, Onam, and Eid. Earlier, the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the construction of the new metro line was held in Sector 44.

The 28.5 km-long Metro corridor from Millennium City Center to Cyber City up to Dwarka Expressway, costing about Rs 5,500 crore will include 27 stations and connect new and old Gurugram.

*Urban Ministry committed to providing metro wherever required- Manohar Lal*

Sh. Manohar Lal said that metro services are being expanded to provide convenience and better mobility to the people. He assured that wherever metro connectivity is needed across the country, the Urban Ministry will ensure timely approvals and implementation. Congratulating the people of Gurugram and the NCR for this project, he said that better transport facilities will save both time and money. The Union Minister further said that the Urban Ministry will provide 10,000 buses at concessional rates across the country, out of which 450 will be allotted to Haryana, including 100 buses dedicated to Gurugram. He added that to improve last-mile connectivity, transport facilities linked with metro stations will be made available through an app-based system, which will ensure safety and allow fare payments through metro cards, eliminating parking issues.

*Commitment to make Gurugram number one in cleanliness*

The Union Minister also administered a cleanliness pledge to the public, urging everyone to adopt cleanliness as a way of life. He said that with the cooperation of social and business organizations, every citizen must contribute to keeping their surroundings clean. Manohar Lal informed that he has assured the Prime Minister that Gurugram will make exemplary contributions in becoming number one in the national cleanliness rankings. He also thanked the Prime Minister for recently rationalizing GST slabs into two categories.

*Metro corridor will give a new identity to Gurugram: Chief Minister*

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini welcomed Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Mr. Manohar Lal on his arrival in Gurugram and expressed gratitude to the Central Government for gifting the new metro project to the city. He said that today is a historic day for Gurugram. Together we are fulfilling a long-awaited dream. This metro service will benefit every citizen by reducing traffic congestion, saving travel time, decreasing pollution, and creating new employment opportunities. Metro stations have been strategically planned at key locations such as Subhash Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, Udyog Vihar, Palam Vihar, and the Railway Station. He said that the project, to be completed within the next four years, will give Gurugram a distinct new identity. He further informed that metro extensions from Rejangla Chowk to Dwarka Sector-21, Sector-56 to Pachgaon, as well as NaMo Metro Corridor Delhi–Karnal, Delhi–Neemrana, and Gurugram–Noida via Faridabad are also part of the future plans. These projects will connect Gurugram more deeply with Delhi and the entire NCR. This metro is not just a means of transport, it is a symbol of progress, he added.

*Gurugram emerging as a hub of economic power*

Highlighting the city’s rapid growth, the Chief Minister said that Gurugram has become one of India’s most important economic centers, housing major IT, BPO, startup, and automobile companies. It is home to more than 250 Fortune 500 companies, and most of Haryana’s 19 unicorns are also based here. He said that lakhs of people from across the country and the world come to Gurugram in search of employment, business, and opportunities. The city, once a small village, is today known worldwide as the Millennium City. Gurugram now ranks third in per capita income in India, after Chandigarh and Mumbai.

*Haryana moving forward under the leadership of the Prime Minister*

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana is progressing under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. We will do what we have promised. Our policy, intention, and leadership are clear. Under Modi ji’s leadership, India has witnessed a decisive and transparent government, bringing unprecedented change in work culture. Our goal is the balanced development of the entire state, and we will leave no stone unturned to make Gurugram the most developed city in the country, he said.

Metro will boost growth and connectivity – Rao Narbir Singh

Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh described the Gurugram Metro Rail Expansion Project as a historic step for the city’s development and people’s convenience. He said the project will not only provide safe, fast and comfortable travel but also help in controlling pollution and easing traffic jams. It will become a strong base for Gurugram’s socio-economic progress, giving new impetus to industrial and business activities and boosting investment opportunities, he added.

Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma termed the occasion a proud moment for the city. He said the 28.5 km corridor with 27 elevated stations will connect old and new Gurugram with Cyber City, Udyog Vihar, the Railway Station, and Dwarka Expressway, making daily travel more convenient for local residents and providing the city with a modern transport network.

GMDA Chairman D.S. Dhesi, GMRL CEO Chandshekhar Khare, BJP District President Sarvpriya Tyagi, officers of the district administration and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

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Officers should resolve citizens' grievances honestly while respecting public sentiments: Chief Minister*

*14 out of 18 cases resolved in District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting in Gurugram*

*Chief Minister resolves 16-year-old complaint; complainant expresses gratitude*

Chandigarh, Sept 5 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that officers must ensure the honest and timely redressal of citizens' grievances while respecting public sentiments. He said that the Haryana Government is working at the grassroots level with the aim of Antyodaya upliftment, where quick resolution of public grievancs remains the top priority.

The Chief Minister was chairing the meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee in Gurugram on Friday. Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Pataudi MLA Mrs. Bimla Chaudhary, Sohna MLA Mr. Tejpal Tanwar and Gurugram MLA Mr. Mukesh Sharma were also present in the meeting.

A total of 18 complaints were placed before the committee, out of which the Chief Minister resolved 14 cases on the spot, while directing to keep 4 cases pending till the next meeting.

*Decade-and-a-half old complaint resolved*

During the meeting, the case of Pramod Kumar, a resident of Devat Colony, came up. He had earlier in last meeting (July), complained that a 24-foot-wide street in his colony had been illegally encroached upon by a neighbor who had occupied 12 feet of the road for the past 16 years, restricting access to his home. At that time, the Chief Minister had directed the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Gurugram, and committee member Priyavrat Kataria to visit the site, investigate, and take action as per rules. On Friday, the complainant informed that after action by the Municipal Corporation, the illegal encroachment had been removed. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for resolving a 16-year-old grievance.

*Electricity-related complaint resolved, RWA expresses gratitude*

The Surya Vihar Resident Welfare Association had complained about unsafe electricity infrastructure in the colony. They stated that while 11 new poles had been installed, the wires were over 30 years old, hanging dangerously low, and several dilapidated poles were obstructing traffic, posing risks during the rainy season. This complaint was raised in the last meeting. Following the Chief Minister’s directions in the last meeting, DHBVN replaced all the old conductors, removed damaged poles, and installed new poles. The RWA thanked the Chief Minister for ensuring timely redressal of their complaint.

*Immediate action ordered on Sector-85 Oris Society complaint*

Residents of Sector-85 Oris Society raised the issue of a 24-meter-wide road connecting their society’s main road to the Dwarka Expressway, which had been blocked by some landowners. This forced residents, including school children, to use a narrow and unsafe route, increasing the risk of accidents. Taking serious note, the Chief Minister directed the concerned officials, including DTP and STP, to take immediate action and provide relief to the complainants.

Manesar Mayor Dr. Indrajit Yadav, GMDA Principal Advisor D.S. Dhesi, GMDA CEO Shyamal Mishra, and officers of the district administration were also present in the meeting.

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*State government will compensate for crop loss due to waterlogging - Ranbir Gangwa*

*e-kshtipurti portal opened for 276 villages of Hisar district, around 25,000 farmers report damage to crops in 1.45 lakh acres*

Chandigarh, Sept 5 – Haryana Public Works and Public Health Engineering Minister, Sh Ranbir Gangwa said that the e-kshtipurti portal has now been opened for 276 villages in Hisar district to register crop damage caused by waterlogging. Earlier, the portal covered only 81 villages, but now farmers from 276 villages can report their crop losses online.

Sh Gangwa shared this information while interacting with villagers on Friday during a review of drainage repair works in Barwala, Hisar and village Gangwa. The 276 villages added to the portal include 30 in Adampur tehsil, 19 in Balsmand, 28 in Barwala, 19 in Bans, 43 in Hansi, 87 in Hisar, 17 in Khedi Jalba, 18 in Narnaund and 15 in Uklana tehsil. So far, around 25,000 farmers have reported damage to crops spread across nearly 1.45 lakh acres.

The Minister urged other affected farmers to complete the self-verification of crop loss on the e-kshtipurti portal at the earliest so that timely relief can be provided.