MoHUA creates separate departments for Delhi Capital Development and Urban Development

New Delhi, India (Rail & Metro Today): The Government of India has bifurcated the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) into two separate departments to streamline governance and improve the implementation of urban development programmes. The move creates the Department of Capital Development, focused primarily on Delhi and the National Capital Region, and the Department of Urban Development, responsible for national urban development schemes.

The Cabinet Secretariat issued a gazette notification on Thursday amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, formally establishing the two departments. This is the first time that MoHUA has been divided into separate departments since its formation.

Delhi Metro and NCR Transport to Come Under Capital Development Department

The newly created Department of Capital Development will assume responsibility for 25 subjects relating to Delhi's infrastructure and development. These include Union government properties, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), allocation of government land in Delhi, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

The restructuring is significant for Delhi's rapidly expanding urban transport network, as DMRC is currently implementing multiple corridors under Phase IV, while NCRTC is developing and expanding the Namo Bharat regional rapid transit network across the National Capital Region.

The department's mandate is expected to provide a more focused administrative framework for Delhi-centric infrastructure, land and transport projects.

New Department to Handle National Urban Schemes

The Department of Urban Development, meanwhile, will oversee major national urban development programmes and policies. Its responsibilities will include flagship schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, Urban Challenge Fund, PM SVANidhi and AMRUT.

The department will also be responsible for matters relating to climate and climate adaptation, reflecting the government's increasing focus on sustainable and climate-resilient urban development.

New Secretaries Appointed

Following the restructuring, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Gujarat cadre IAS officer D Thara as Secretary of the Department of Capital Development. Thara was previously serving as Additional Secretary in MoHUA.

Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Satendra Singh, who was serving as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Urban Development. Interestingly, Singh had signed the gazette notification creating the two departments earlier on Thursday in his capacity as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.

The restructuring marks a significant administrative change in India's urban governance framework and could enable more focused decision-making for Delhi's transport, infrastructure, land management and capital development projects while allowing the new Department of Urban Development to concentrate on national urbanisation priorities.