Chandigarh, October 5 (Harminder Singh Nagpal):- Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria said that strong urban local bodies, empowered mayors, adequate resources, modern technology and an efficient administrative system are essential to make cities across the country clean, green, safe, inclusive and self-reliant. He also stressed better coordination between elected representatives and officials, along with active participation of citizens.

Kataria attended the 118th All India Mayors Council conference held in Chandigarh on Monday as the chief guest. Mayors and representatives from across the country discussed various challenges related to urban development, successful initiatives and best practices during the conference.

Need to Share Experiences to Address Local Problems

The Administrator said the biggest strength of the All India Mayors Council is collective deliberation and exchange of experiences. Cities face similar challenges related to sanitation, drinking water, sewerage, traffic, waste management, pollution, green spaces, housing, health services, welfare of the urban poor and digital services. In such a situation, a successful model in one city can be adopted in other cities according to their local conditions.

He said the All India Mayors Council was established in 1962 with the objective of strengthening urban administration and providing a common platform to mayors across the country.

Kataria said people holding public office should give the highest priority to public interest while functioning within the framework of law. Sensitivity, a humane approach and a spirit of public welfare are essential in the functioning of municipal corporations and local bodies. Mayors should maintain continuous communication with citizens, listen to their problems and make effective efforts to resolve them.

Chandigarh Cited as an Example of Planned Urban Development

Referring to Chandigarh’s development since its establishment in 1952, the Administrator said the city has emerged as an important example of planned urban development. Continuous efforts are being made in the areas of civic amenities, sanitation, water management and environmental protection.

He also mentioned Chandigarh’s electric vehicle policy and achievements in energy conservation. He said Chandigarh has been recognised as the best Union Territory in the field of electric vehicles and as the most EV-ready city. He also mentioned that Chandigarh secured first place in the National Energy Conservation Awards-2025. He further highlighted that 100 per cent solar energy coverage has been achieved for all government buildings in the city.

Kataria also referred to Chandigarh’s second position in the Super Swachh League, the Daddumajra waste management project and the compressed biogas plant. He said Chandigarh became the first slum-free city in the country due to efforts towards large-scale rehabilitation and provision of affordable housing.

He said that through plantation drives, public participation and administrative efforts, Chandigarh’s green cover has increased to 51 per cent. He appealed to citizens to take care of and protect the plants that have been planted.

Demand for Uniform Five-Year Tenure and Greater Powers for Mayors

All India Mayors Council President Renu Bala Gupta shared her views on the role and functioning of mayors across the country. She described Chandigarh as one of the most beautiful and well-planned cities in the country.

She said the conference discussed strengthening the role and responsibilities of mayors, increasing their powers and ensuring a uniform tenure across the country. She stressed the need for full and effective implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment.

Gupta said geographical and administrative conditions vary across different states, resulting in differences in the delivery of civic services. She advocated uniformity in the tenure, role, responsibilities, powers and selection process of mayors. She said the All India Mayors Council organises training, orientation and knowledge-exchange programmes for mayors from time to time.

Mayors Should Have a Five-Year Tenure: Naveen Jain

Rajya Sabha Member and Regional Head of the All India Mayors Council Naveen Jain demanded a uniform five-year tenure for mayors across the country. He said the role, responsibilities and powers of mayors should also be clearly defined and uniform.

Emphasising the complete implementation of the provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, he said this would genuinely empower urban local bodies and enable mayors to function as strong pillars of the urban governance system.

Council Started with Seven Mayors, Now Has 266

All India Mayors Council General Secretary Ashutosh Varshney said the council began with only seven mayors, while 266 mayors from across the country are now associated with it.

He also demanded pension-related benefits for mayors on the lines of Members of Parliament and legislators. He said the All India Mayors Council organises four meetings every year at different locations across the country. During these meetings, mayors share their experiences and discuss issues related to urban development.

Saurabh Joshi Stresses Uniformity in Mayors’ Powers and Tenure

Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi said there are significant differences in the tenure, powers and selection process of mayors across different states. In some places the mayor’s tenure is one year, in others two years, two-and-a-half years or five years.

He said there should be a transparent and uniform system for the selection of mayors across the country. In some states, mayors are directly elected by the people, while in several states elected councillors choose the mayor.

Joshi said uniformity in the tenure, powers, responsibilities and institutional framework of mayors would strengthen urban local governance and enable growing urban needs to be addressed more effectively.

Chandigarh Has 100 Per Cent Processing Capacity for Municipal Solid Waste

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Commissioner Amit Kumar, IAS, presented the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the chief guest, mayors and representatives who participated in the conference. Providing information about Chandigarh’s scientific waste management system, he said the Municipal Corporation has achieved 100 per cent processing capacity for municipal solid waste.

He said Chandigarh has been selected for the Pragati City-50 initiative on the basis of its better performance on sanitation and development-related parameters.

The Commissioner also provided information about the strict action being taken by the Chandigarh Administration under the drug-free campaign. He said action is also being taken as per law against properties belonging to people involved in drug-related cases. The objective of these efforts is to provide the city with a safe, healthy and responsible urban environment.

Mayors Visit Major Projects in Chandigarh

After the conference, mayors from across the country visited various projects and successful initiatives of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. These included the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), Rose Garden, Capitol Complex, Air Museum, Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake.

The mayors appreciated various initiatives and the urban development model of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. On the occasion, the mayors also planted flowering plants near the underpass close to the Rose Garden.

Former MP Kirron Kher, All India Mayors Council Secretary Manoj Gupta, Panchkula Mayor Shyam Lal Bansal, Mohali Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana, Ambala Mayor Akshita Saini, Faridabad Mayor Parveen Batra Joshi, Karnal Mayor and Council President Renu Bala Gupta, along with mayors from various cities across the country and other dignitaries, were present at the conference.