Manesar is emerging as one of the strongest contenders in Haryana’s race for new districts, with industrialists, residents and local stakeholders stepping up their demand to carve out the rapidly expanding industrial township as a separate district.
Officials and administrative circles consider Manesar among the strongest claimants of the 12 locations that have sought district status before the Haryana Reorganisation Committee. However, competing demands from Pataudi and Narnaul are likely to make the final decision challenging.
Manesar’s claim is largely based on its industrial and economic importance. The Industrial Model Township, or IMT, Manesar is home to major global manufacturing companies, including Maruti Suzuki, Honda and Toshiba, apart from thousands of automobile, electronics and pharmaceutical units. The industrial belt is also a major contributor to the state’s tax revenue.
The state government had anticipated Manesar’s rapid expansion when it constituted the Manesar Municipal Corporation in December 2020. The corporation covers more than 29 villages along with several new sectors, giving the area a broader administrative framework.
The continued expansion of residential development along the Dwarka Expressway corridor has further strengthened Manesar’s urban profile. Supporters of the district demand increasingly describe the area as the “new Gurugram”.
Officials and local stakeholders also point to the growing administrative burden on Gurugram district headquarters due to the rapid expansion of the region. Several parts of Manesar are located at a considerable distance from the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner.
Proponents of district status argue that a separate district, along with an independent police commissionerate and permanent administrative infrastructure, would improve governance and law and order in the rapidly growing region.
“Manesar contributes the maximum revenue to the state but has its own distinct needs. It is the state’s top industrial hub. The administrative distance from the Gurugram headquarters is costing us dearly. The profile of our population and housing is also different. Manesar deserves district status and we have already raised this demand,” said Praveen Malik, president of the United Association of New Gurugram.
There is also a proposal to combine Manesar with neighbouring Pataudi and Farrukhnagar to create what supporters describe as a “model district”.
Pataudi, however, has separately staked its claim for district status. Local representatives argue that the area has remained neglected despite its proximity to Gurugram’s expanding real estate corridor and the freight corridor.
In Mahendragarh district, residents, advocates and traders have renewed their demand for Narnaul to be made a separate district. They have cited the distance of around 25 km from the existing district headquarters and the difficulties residents face while travelling for administrative work. The demand had earlier resulted in an 86 day protest by advocates and traders.
In neighbouring Nuh district, residents of Tauru are also closely watching the developments. They hope that if Manesar or Pataudi is granted district status, Tauru could be merged with the new district instead of continuing as part of Nuh.
The Haryana Reorganisation Committee has received 73 proposals, including 12 seeking the creation of new districts. Hansi was declared a separate district last year.
“The committee is reviewing all proposals and studying the relevant factors. A final decision will be taken only after approval from the Chief Minister,” a committee member said.
Under the criteria being considered by the committee, a new district should have between 125 and 200 villages, a population of at least four lakh, an area of 80,000 hectares or more, and should be located 25 to 40 km from an existing district headquarters.