Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, has directed officials to expedite land acquisition and resolve related issues for the first phase of the Gurugram Metro project. GMRL’s official profile confirms his 1990-batch Haryana-cadre status.
The directions were issued during the fifth meeting of the high-powered committee on the Gurugram Metro project in Chandigarh.
Officials from Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), the district administration and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) participated in the review.
Private Land Required at Three Locations
Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL) requires private land at Kanhai, Islampur and Basai for project-related infrastructure, including the depot, stations and track.
Officials were directed to address pending land-related matters on priority. The Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram, who heads the land purchase committee, and the HSVP Administrator were asked to expedite the process.
Some landowners have agreed to sell their properties, while discussions with other affected landowners are continuing over compensation and other demands.
Utility Shifting Also on Priority
Rastogi directed agencies to remove utilities and other obstacles along the metro alignment to facilitate construction.
Key directions included:
- HVPN was asked to transfer land occupied by the 220-kV substation in Sector 33 that falls within the proposed depot site to GMRL.
- NHAI was directed to address obstacles along the Hero Honda Chowk–Umang Bhardwaj Chowk stretch.
- Efforts are underway to shift an electricity substation along the alignment.
- A proposal for transfer of Forest Department land in Sector 10 has been submitted.
Legal Issues Affecting Construction
Some structures and facilities along the proposed alignment are also subject to pending legal proceedings.
Four houses in Saraswati Enclave are among the structures affecting construction, with the matter listed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 31.
A Haryana City Gas CNG station located along the project route is also subject to legal proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for August 24.
A senior GMRL official said, “For meeting deadlines, it is critical that land is acquired and utilities shifted on priority.”
Gurugram Metro Project
The approved Gurugram Metro corridor is planned to connect Millennium City Centre with Cyber City, with a spur towards Dwarka Expressway. The project was approved in 2023 at an estimated cost of ₹5,452 crore; subsequent changes have revised the project cost and scope.
About Anurag Rastogi
Anurag Rastogi is a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre and currently serves as the Chief Secretary of Haryana. He has held several senior administrative positions in the state, including responsibilities related to finance, revenue and other key departments.
Before becoming Chief Secretary, Rastogi served as Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, where he was involved in matters concerning the state’s financial administration and resource management.
