As Haryana’s cities expand at an unprecedented pace, the need for sustainable mobility, smarter governance, and cleaner urban environments has never been greater. In this exclusive conversation, Shri. Vipul Goel, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Local Bodies, Revenue & Disaster Management and Civil Aviation, Government of Haryana, shares with Nandini Jha of Elets News Network (ENN) about the State’s vision to build greener, more resilient, and technologydriven urban ecosystems.
How is the Government of Haryana planning to strengthen its urban mobility ecosystem to ensure cleaner, safer, and more efficient transport systems across cities?
The Government of Haryana is actively working to build a modern, sustainable, and inclusive urban mobility framework that supports cleaner and more efficient transport systems across its cities. A key focus is the promotion of sustainable mobility by expanding the fleet of electric and hybrid public transport vehicles, including buses, e-rickshaws, and government vehicles. This transition aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and dependence on private transport. Parallelly, the State is developing cycling lanes, pedestrianfriendly pathways, and last-mile connectivity solutions like feeder buses and shared mobility systems to encourage eco-friendly travel choices.
To improve traffic management and road safety, Haryana is deploying advanced Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and smart traffic signals integrated with IoT sensors for real-time monitoring and smoother flow of vehicles. Digital ticketing, GPS-enabled tracking, mobile applications for public transport are being introduced to commuter convenience. The State is also focusing on creating self-sustainable, compact, and mixed-use urban neighbourhoods through Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) along metro and bus corridors. These efforts are complemented by inclusive mobility measures that ensure accessibility for low-income groups, the elderly, and differently-abled citizens, supported by smart street lighting, pedestrian safety infrastructure, and citizen feedback platforms for continuous improvement.
What new initiatives or policy interventions are in the pipeline to align with the national urban mobility goals?
Please share the overarching vision for urban mobility and infrastructure in the State over the next 5 to 10 years. Haryana’s urban mobility roadmap aligns closely with the national vision of sustainable, green, and inclusive transport systems. The State is expanding electric mobility infrastructure by establishing EV charging stations and gradually replacing conventional buses, rickshaws, and government fleets with electric and hybrid vehicles. Policies are being framed to restrict polluting vehicles, promote CNG and hydrogen-powered transport, and establish low-emission zones in major cities.
Public and non-motorised transport are being prioritised through the expansion of metro connectivity, improvement of bus networks, and promotion of e-rickshaws. The government is also developing safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling as mainstream modes of travel. These efforts are complemented by the adoption of datadriven planning and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to ensure smarter, evidencebased decision-making.
The overarching vision for the next 5–10 years is to transform Haryana’s urban centres into smart, green, and resilient cities with efficient, safe, and sustainable transport systems. The State aims to achieve significant emission reduction Haryana processes over 5,300 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily through scientific targets, enhance commuter experiences, and align with national missions such as the Smart Cities Mission and the National Electric Mobility Mission.
How is the Urban Local Bodies Department integrating sustainability, technology, and data-driven decision-making into city planning and infrastructure development to make Haryana’s cities smarter and more resilient?
The Urban Local Bodies Department is leading a data-driven transformation of urban planning and governance in Haryana. Through the integration of geospatial data, IoT sensors, and real-time monitoring systems, the State is adopting evidencebased decision-making for managing transport, waste, water, and energy systems. Digitised base maps and land information systems are being developed to monitor land use, prevent unauthorised construction, and optimise urban resource allocation. Citizen engagement tools like the Harpath app allow residents to report issues such as potholes and garbage, enabling swift response and maintenance.
Integrated Command and Control Systems (ICCS) established across municipal corporations and councils further enhance coordination and operational efficiency. Sustainability lies at the heart of this approach, with the promotion of electric mobility, BRTS networks, green belts, rooftop gardens, and solar-powered street lighting. Citizen-centric governance has been strengthened through online services such as property tax payments, CLU permissions, building plan approvals, and citizen feedback platforms — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in urban management.
What steps is the department taking to enhance public transport infrastructure and improve lastmile connectivity in rapidly growing urban centres like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula?
Recognising the mobility challenges of its rapidly growing cities, the Urban Local Bodies Department is expanding public transport infrastructure across Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panchkula. The State is augmenting its fleet with electric and CNG-powered buses and developing integrated bus terminals and BRTS corridors to promote clean and efficient transport. In parallel, technological integration through the e-Transport Project is enabling online vehicle registration, digital ticketing, real-time bus tracking, and contactless payments — making urban transport more accessible and commuter-friendly.
To strengthen last-mile connectivity, Haryana is promoting feeder bus services, e-rickshaws, and shared mobility platforms that connect metro stations, bus terminals, and residential areas. Dedicated cycling tracks and pedestrian zones are being developed to support non-motorised transport. The State is also exploring a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) framework to integrate multiple transport modes under a single digital platform. Infrastructure upgrades, including road modernisation, smart traffic signals, and better lighting, are improving road safety and reducing congestion. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are being encouraged for the expansion of EV charging networks and smart mobility projects, especially along metro corridors.
How is the government leveraging digitisation and e-governance to make urban services more References accessible and transparent for citizens, while ensuring inclusivity across all urban local bodies in the state?
The Government of Haryana is driving a comprehensive digital transformation across all 87 Urban Local Bodies to make governance more transparent, efficient, and inclusive. The SARAL portal serves as a unified digital platform offering over 125 citizen services across multiple categories, from marriage registrations to trade licenses and fire safety permissions. A GIS-based property tax and NDC management system covering over 49 lakh properties enables real-time assessment, billing, and auto-mutation after property registration.
Additionally, a state-wide GIS platform now integrates over 2,500 base map layers, providing real-time views of property, utilities, and infrastructure. The NAKSHA project, being piloted in Panchkula, Manesar, and Narnaul, is creating an accurate GISbased land database to streamline planning and monitoring. For inclusivity, over 690 Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFCs) and Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established across the State to ensure digital access for all citizens, including those in smaller towns and with limited digital literacy.
Other notable initiatives include the Swachh Haryana app, the Swamitva Scheme portal for shop ownership rights, and the Jan Samvaad grievance redressal system, which allows citizens to directly engage with government departments. Collectively, these initiatives reinforce Haryana’s vision of digitally empowered and citizen-first governance.
How is the government addressing the challenges of urban waste management and sanitation, and what innovative approaches are being adopted to promote cleaner cities and a better quality of life for residents?
With the rapid pace of urbanisation, Haryana initially faced significant challenges in waste management, including unscientific disposal practices and legacy dumpsites. In response, the government launched a comprehensive waste management overhaul under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, emphasising sustainability, technology, and circular economy principles. The State currently processes over 5,361 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste out of a total 5,700 TPD generated, achieving 100% door-to-door collection monitored through a GPS-enabled Solid Waste Management Portal.
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Legacy waste remediation has been a major success, with over 77 lakh metric tonnes of old waste already treated and 38 dumpsites reclaimed. The State aims for complete remediation by 2025, except for Gurugram, where it will conclude by 2028. Waste-toEnergy (WtE) initiatives are central to Haryana’s circular waste strategy. A 750 TPD WtE plant in Sonipat is already operational, while two new torrefied charcoal plants at Bandhwari and Motuka, in collaboration with NTPC, are being developed to convert waste into clean, high-calorific-value fuel.
In sanitation, the State is expanding public and community toilet access, modernising facilities, and conducting citizen-led cleanliness campaigns such as Swachhta Pakhwadas and plasticfree drives. Mechanised sweeping, dust control measures, and enforcement against open burning are also improving urban air quality. Guided by its “Clean Haryana – Green Haryana” mission, the State is committed to building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable cities powered by innovation and active citizen participation.