“Haryana Should Learn from Ghaziabad’s Transformation: A Call to Study the Vikramaditya Malik Model”

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal

Haryana Chief Minister’s Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar and Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi should visit Ghaziabad to study how young IAS officer Vikramaditya Singh Malik has transformed the city from one once known for filth and poor sanitation into a global example of urban innovation. Today, Ghaziabad has emerged as a winner on the global stage and is among the top 24 cities in the prestigious Bloomberg Mayors Challenge.

Not very long ago, Ghaziabad was considered even dirtier and more neglected than Gurugram. However, over the past two to three years, the city has witnessed a remarkable transformation. This achievement has been made possible through the persistent efforts, dedication, integrity, and moral courage of Municipal Commissioner Vikramaditya Singh Malik, who has significantly elevated the city’s reputation both nationally and internationally.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has selected 24 cities from 20 countries to receive a grant of one million dollars along with operational support and additional funding to scale innovative solutions aimed at improving essential civic services. Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation is among the selected cities and will receive one million dollars to implement an innovative project that converts cow dung into white rooftop paint. This paint helps cool homes, reduce emissions, and generate employment opportunities for under-employed women.

It is difficult to understand why the Government of Haryana and its administrative machinery have not drawn inspiration from the initiatives undertaken in Ghaziabad. The question arises: if Ghaziabad could achieve such progress, why can’t Gurugram — a city with far better financial resources — replicate a similar model?

Former Chief Engineer of Irrigation and ex-member of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, Balbir Singh, has written to Rajesh Khullar and Anurag Rastogi urging them to study the Ghaziabad model and implement similar reforms in Haryana, particularly in Gurugram and Faridabad.

Interestingly, Gurugram has had more than a dozen IAS and HCS officers across agencies such as Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran, and Municipal Corporation Gurugram responsible for maintaining cleanliness. The city also has D. S. Dhesi as an advisor on local bodies. Rajesh Khullar even spent a week in Gurugram supervising cleanliness drives, yet the results have reportedly been negligible.

Notably, Vikramaditya Singh Malik is the son of Yudhvir Singh Malik, a respected retired IAS officer and an enlightened reader who has long been associated with public administration and governance.