Haryana (spreading over an area of 44212 Sq. Kms.) is one of the most rapidly developing states of India as its growth rate ( 8.6 % ) is exceeding the national average growth rate. It is commanding the second highest per capita income ( Rs. 26, 632 ) in the country. About 91 percent of its population is living above poverty line. Primarily, it is an agrarian state served by Satluj – Yamuna canal network producing surplus grain to the country. With the establishment of Maruti Udyog, Hero Honda, Escorts, Honda and their ancillary units, Haryana has emerged as a major manufacturing base for automobile sector of the world. Haryana is the third largest exporter of software goods in the country. With its base at Gurgaon and Panipat, Haryana is the largest exporter of garments and handicrafts in the country. With the establishment of refinery at Panipat by the Indian Oil Corporation, the Haryana state has become the supplier of oil to the northern states of India. The upcoming of petro-chemical complex adjoining to the said Refinery at Panipat would prove another milestone in Haryan’s development. Haryana state has also taken a lead in the country for planned urbanization of its towns and cities.
Haryana has the privilege for its better location as it’s one-third part is covered under the National Capital Region, which is termed as the richest region of the country. This state is well served by 14 tracks of Railway Lines, 10 National Highways in addition to K.M.P Express Highway which passes through the State. The facilities of highest order of infrastructure of the country including International Airport, Foreign Embassies, Junctions of Railways and National Highways, global level educational and medical Institutions, International Markets located in National Capital of Delhi are easily accessible to Haryana from its all parts. The Haryana State itself is served by 5 Universities i.e. Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra; Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak; Chaudhary Charan Singh, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar and Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa.
The total population of Haryana state has increased from 16463648 persons in 1991 to 21144564 persons in 2001 by registering a net increase of 28.43 percent. The urban population of the state has grown from 4054744 persons in 1991 to 6115304 persons in 2001 A.D by registering a net increase of 50.81 percent. Due to high land prices in big urban centers of the state, development is trickling down fastly from big urban centers to medium and small urban centers of the state. The good network of railways, highways, and high speed of trains and public transports have facilitated commuters of all portions of Haryana to access Delhi – the mother city within their manageable time. The small and medium towns located on National Highways, State Highways and on railway tracks have become choices of public who can not afford residences at bigger urban centers having population more than one lac persons and hence, these towns have immense potentials for their planned urbanization / colonization.
All small and medium towns of the state are covered under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975. In addition, most of these towns are also covered by the controlled areas declared under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963. By virtue of aforesaid Acts, no person can carve out any colony and raise any construction at site within the jurisdiction of said controlled areas and urban areas without obtaining licence / permissions from the Director, Town & Country Planning, Haryana, Chandigarh. The land in small and medium towns is comparatively cheaper. The psychology of the urban residents is changing frequently as in the present era of Science and Technology every person wants to live in better environment. The old existing small and medium towns which have developed on the basis of traditional technology are lacking the facility of proper road network, sewerage, piped water supply system and other supporting socio-economic infrastructure, therefore, residents of old localities are preferring to shift to environmentally better planned colonies. Due to strict enforcement of Town and Country Planning Department, now the colonizers can not develop such towns in unauthorized way on traditional pattern. Obtaining licenses under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 is the only option available with the colonizers / developers. For successfully implementing their projects, the colonizers / developers should have complete knowledge of the subject and all Acts, Rules and Regulations of the State. For attaining competency in such works, study of District Controlled Area Plans, Development Plans of each town and Haryana Town Planning Guide which covers all aspects of colony development is recommended. These Plans and Books are available at this site.
By
B.N.Sharma
Retd. Senior Town Planner of
Haryana Government
www.townplanning.in
