When Rao Inderjit Singh said “we don’t have the autonomy we need”, the audience nodded in appreciation and agreement. It was a nod both to the minister’s candour as well as his ability to get to the nucleus of the problem that affects a Gurgaon resident all year – the city’s acute infrastructure and governance problem.There are few who know and can read the city as well as Singh, who is currently serving his sixth term as MP from Gurgaon and his third stint as a minister in the central govt led by Narendra Modi. So, when a question came on the city’s governance, Singh’s diagnosis was quick and precise. Despite the presence of senior state govt functionaries in the city and frequent visits by both the current and former CMs, key decisions regarding Gurgaon’s future, he observed, continue to be made in Chandigarh. “Gurgaon is remote-controlled from Chandigarh,” he said, speaking at the second edition of TOI’s #WeMakeGurgaon Townhall, held on Saturday at Indiabulls Centrum Park in Sector 103.In a conversation that covered a spectrum of subjects, from the city’s rain miseries to his own political career, the Union minister offered a forthright and wide-ranging address, candidly acknowledging deficiencies and also laying out his vision for what is to come in the months and years ahead.Speaking about the “Chandigarh-centric approach” that slows down decision-making in a city that helps generate the bulk of the state’s revenues, Singh said, “Even when the CM is in Gurgaon, the files still have to go to Chandigarh.”He acknowledged that Gurgaon contributes 60-65% of the state’s total revenue but struggles to receive proportional attention in terms of development funds and infrastructure support. “When we contribute this much, we are right to expect a fair share in return,” he said.Recalling the tenure of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Singh mentioned the move to set up a grievance redress committee as a positive step, which remains active and its results visible. “But administrative limitations persist,” he said. “Even Nayab Singh Saini, who now leads the grievance committee, shows interest in Gurgaon. But the problem is not intent — it is structure. We still lack the leeway to take decisions on the ground,” Singh said.The minister went on to underline Gurgaon and south Haryana’s deep-rooted political loyalty to BJP, seen in the consistent support for the party in both state and national elections. “These constituencies have made it possible for BJP to form the govt. Our voters here deserve more focus, more attention, and more support. And not just because they vote for us but because their needs are real, urgent and growing.”To a question on whether Haryana should consider making Gurgaon its capital, Singh responded by saying it was an impractical idea. “Not a chance,” he said. “Gurgaon is already bursting at the seams. We don’t have enough water, infrastructure or public services to absorb that level of institutional expansion. Before we talk about a capital, we need to upgrade our current systems.”However, he added, “Given our legal infrastructure and population of professionals, I believe Gurgaon should house a high court”.Singh mentioned progress on highways, arterial roads and flyovers, all designed to ease the city’s notorious traffic problems and improve inter-sector mobility. But there are major gaps still, he admitted. Waterlogging and inadequate sewerage systems continue to plague many areas, especially during monsoon. “Basic issues still remain. But we’re actively working on them. These are not being ignored,” he assured.Asked if Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), created with the vision of enabling unified urban planning for a city with too many agencies and little coordination, had, in his opinion, fulfilled its purpose, Singh said it continues to evolve and holds significant promise. “The intention behind GMDA was to bring Gurgaon under a single development umbrella. It’s a work in progress, but we’ve taken the first steps towards autonomy.“For representatives of RWAs in new sectors around Dwarka Expressway who were among those in the audience, this was an opportunity to voice their grievances before their MP. Lack of public transport, erratic sanitation services, frequent water shortages, and poor road maintenance were the four main problems they brought up. Singh listened, took notes, and assured them he would take these up with the appropriate departments. “I will personally follow up,” he said. “Your voices matter.”Many in the audience said this was the first time they had been able to speak directly to their elected representative in such an open and public forum. “I’m here to listen and I will act. I may not be able to solve everything immediately, but I promise you will be heard,” was Singh’s message to them.As the conversation moved to his long political career, and whether he might hang up his boots as he has hinted before, Singh dismissed a question on whether he would turn his attention to state politics with a shake of the head. Does he see himself as a future CM contender? “The chief minister’s chair is a bed of thorns,” he said with a smile. “I’m 75 years old. I have no ambition to pursue that path.” His political journey, he said, would continue in whichever direction the party deemed fit. But he made it clear he had no plans to contest another Lok Sabha election. “I think it’s time for someone else. If the party insists, I will follow its directive, but my own preference is to step aside from electoral politics.”He made it clear that stepping away from Parliament would not mean stepping away from public service. “Being an MP ties me to Delhi and central responsibilities. Many of the issues Gurgaon faces are local and require state-level coordination. It’s frustrating not to be able to give them the attention they deserve. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue to serve, just perhaps in a different capacity.” For residents who packed the venue to listen to him, Singh had a message: “The Gurgaon of tomorrow will only thrive through cooperation, transparency and sustained civic involvement.“
