Haryana's 1975 urban law needs urgent overhaul, experts tell Panchkula roundtable
Synopsis
Fifty-one years after it was enacted, Haryana's foundational urban development law is facing calls for a comprehensive overhaul. Senior officials, planners, and industry leaders at a Panchkula roundtable agreed the 1975 Act — once a pioneering framework for private-sector-led urban growth — is no longer equipped to handle the state's fast-evolving cities.
Key Takeaways
Experts at a Panchkula roundtable on Saturday called for urgent modernisation of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 .
The event was organised by ITPI–HRC to mark 51 years of the legislation.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi acknowledged the Act's contribution but said it must evolve to meet future urban challenges.
Key concerns raised include sustainability , infrastructure resilience , rapid urban expansion, and changing citizen expectations.
Stakeholders expect roundtable recommendations to inform a formal legislative review process.
Senior administrators, urban planners, and real estate leaders on Saturday, 3 May 2025, reached a broad consensus that the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975, must be urgently modernised to keep pace with the state's rapidly expanding urban landscape and evolving developmental needs. The agreement emerged at a high-level roundtable in Panchkula, organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India – Haryana Regional Chapter (ITPI–HRC) to mark 51 years of the landmark legislation.
What the Roundtable Addressed
The day-long event was structured across three dedicated sessions and brought together senior government officials, town planners, and industry stakeholders. Participants deliberated extensively on strengthening the Act's provisions to address contemporary urban challenges, promote sustainable development, improve infrastructure resilience, and establish effective regulatory mechanisms for the future.
The Leaders' Roundtable featured Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi alongside T.L. Satyaprakash, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India; Amit Khatri, Director, Town and Country Planning, Haryana; and former senior officials S.S. Dhillon and T.C. Gupta. The session was moderated by former Chief Town Planner Jaswant Singh.
What the Chief Secretary Said
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, who attended the event as chief guest, said urban policies and regulatory frameworks must continuously evolve to address emerging challenges related to sustainability, infrastructure resilience, rapid urban expansion, and changing citizen expectations. He acknowledged that the 1975 Act had significantly contributed to planned urban growth, infrastructure creation, and economic development over the past five decades, but underlined that the time had come to take it to the next level.
Rastogi further stressed that coordinated efforts among government institutions, planners, and industry stakeholders are essential to ensure balanced, inclusive, and future-ready urban development across Haryana. He also highlighted the transformative role played by the Act in shaping the state's urbanisation journey since its enactment.
Why the 1975 Act Matters
The Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975, laid the foundation for planned urban development in the state through private sector participation. Established over half a century ago, it has been the primary legislative instrument governing how cities and towns in Haryana expand, with direct implications for housing, infrastructure, and land use. This is notably the first major public review of the Act in recent years, reflecting growing urgency around urban governance reform.
Notably, this comes amid Haryana's rapid urbanisation — the state's urban population has grown substantially in recent decades, driven by proximity to Delhi and the expansion of industrial and IT corridors in cities such as Gurugram and Faridabad.
About ITPI–HRC
Established in 2006, the ITPI–HRC has been actively promoting planned and sustainable urban and regional development across Haryana. The roundtable in Panchkula marks one of its most significant convening efforts, bringing together policymakers and practitioners to shape the future of the state's urban governance framework.
Stakeholders expect the roundtable's recommendations to feed into a formal legislative review process, with the next steps likely to involve state government consultations on proposed amendments to the Act.
Point of View
A demographic transformation, and the rise of Gurugram as a global city — yet it has never been comprehensively overhauled. That the first serious public reckoning is happening at a professional body's roundtable, rather than inside the state legislature, says something about the pace of governance reform. The real question is whether this consensus translates into a time-bound amendment process or remains another well-attended seminar. With urban land values, infrastructure deficits, and housing demand all at historic highs, Haryana cannot afford another decade of regulatory drift.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975?
It is the primary legislation governing planned urban development in Haryana, enacted in 1975 to facilitate private sector participation in building cities and towns. The Act has shaped land use, housing, and infrastructure development in the state for over five decades.
Why are experts calling for an overhaul of the 1975 Act?
Experts argue the Act is outdated and no longer equipped to handle Haryana's rapid urbanisation, sustainability challenges, and evolving infrastructure needs. At a Panchkula roundtable marking 51 years of the legislation, senior officials and planners reached a broad consensus that modernisation is urgently needed.
Who attended the ITPI–HRC roundtable in Panchkula?
The roundtable was attended by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, T.L. Satyaprakash (Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India), Amit Khatri (Director, Town and Country Planning, Haryana), and former senior officials S.S. Dhillon and T.C. Gupta, among others.
What are the key issues the revised Act is expected to address?
Participants flagged sustainability, infrastructure resilience, rapid urban expansion, effective regulatory mechanisms, and changing citizen expectations as the core areas requiring legislative attention in any revision of the 1975 Act.
What is the ITPI–HRC and what role did it play?
The Institute of Town Planners, India – Haryana Regional Chapter (ITPI–HRC), established in 2006, organised the day-long roundtable in Panchkula to mark 51 years of the 1975 Act and to build consensus on its modernisation among government, planning, and industry stakeholders.
