Heart of Haryana: ‘CM City’ got VIP tag but not big-ticket projects under Smart mission
Claimed to have been neglected by previous governments, Karnal earned the “CM City” tag with the BJP forming the government in the state in 2014, when its MLA Manohar Lal Khattar was elected CM. Its VIP status remained intact in the past 10 years, igniting hopes among its residents for significant development that would bring the city in line with other major urban centres in the state.
After CM Nayab Singh Saini was elected MLA from this seat on June 4, 2024, it regained its VIP status. However, while several public-centric projects were constructed, the residents rue no big-ticket projects were allotted that generated employment.
Improvement in infrastructure is visible, but many major projects are stalled, raising questions about the city’s progress.
In 2017, the city was selected for the Smart City Mission and 121 projects were proposed with a budget of Rs 929.77 crore, aiming to be completed by June 2024. So far, 77 of the projects have been completed, work on 10 is on, four are yet to be awarded, and 30 are being executed by various departments.
The construction of an indoor sports complex, which includes an Olympic-level all-weather swimming pool, is nearing completion and is expected to be operational soon. The Nari Niketan building, part of a broader mixed-use development project, has also been completed.
Despite the initial optimism, several major projects that were expected to transform Karnal have either been delayed or indefinitely postponed. The construction of two elevated flyovers to ease traffic congestion has been halted by the government.
“We were hopeful that after getting the status of CM City, the Rapid Rail project would be expanded to Karnal, but it remains stalled despite a survey. The much-awaited Karnal-Yamunanagar railway line has seen no progress so far,” said Rajiv Kumar, a social activist.
The lack of development is not limited to transportation infrastructure. “We were hoping for an international stadium, an upgraded airport, and a world-class cycling velodrome, but it hasn’t come up,” he added.
Sunil Arora, another resident, said medical infrastructure did get a boost as Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC) was started by the government, while Medical University at Kutail village has already been constructed. However, he admitted due to the model code of conduct, it could not be started.
“We also have Horticulture University and it will soon have a complete building,” he added.
Vansh Bajaj, a local resident, said Karnal had seen improvement in its road network, including the construction of a western bypass, and under-construction eastern bypass, both integral parts of the city’s outer ring road. The widening of entry roads and the construction of welcome gates have also added to the city’s beauty.
Development was fine, said Opposition leaders, but people did not get an MLA. “I remained MLA twice and was always available for people. Khattar remained MLA for nine and a half years, and Saini for the past three months, but both have been absentee MLAs. People could not meet them. Only gates were made, no project was brought to the Karnal Assembly segment. Even the bus stand, which I got sanctioned in Sector 12 in the city, was shifted to the Indri Assembly segment,” claimed Sumita Singh, former MLA and senior Congress leader.
Even people were happy after getting the status of Smart City, but nothing happened. No infrastructure of Karnal was improved.
Former Mayor and BJP leader Renu Bala Gupta countered the claims of the Opposition and said in the past 10 years, Karnal had witnessed a revolutionary change in terms of development and facilities to people. “We improved the road infrastructure by constructing the outer ring road. We started the KCGMC to upgrade medical facilities. Beautification of parks, upgrade of sports infrastructure and new buildings of various departments were among the major projects,” said the former Mayor, adding that they shifted vegetable markets out of the city, constructed a new bus stand and Traffic Park. “We got several projects under the Smart City Mission,” she said. “Our government also gave relief from long-standing waterlogging at Committee Chowk and other areas of the city. Construction of the canal front is also a major project,” she added.
Of 121 projects, only 77 completed
In 2017, the city was selected for the Smart City Mission and 121 projects were proposed with a budget of Rs 929.77 crore, aiming to be completed by 2024. So far, 77 projects have been completed, work on 10 is on, four are yet to be awarded, and 30 are being executed by various departments.
