STN: The Government of India has divided the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) into two separate departments. The decision aims to improve the management of urban projects and make administration more focused.
The two new departments are the Department of Capital Development and the Department of Urban Development. The first department will mainly handle matters related to Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The second department will look after urban development programmes across the country.
The Cabinet Secretariat issued a gazette notification on Thursday. It amended the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, to formally create the two departments.
This is the first time since the formation of MoHUA that the ministry has been divided into separate departments.
MoHUA Delhi Capital Development to Focus on Delhi and NCR Projects
The MoHUA Delhi Capital Development department will manage 25 subjects related to the national capital. It will oversee several important organisations and projects connected with Delhi’s growth.
These include the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the management of Union government properties in Delhi.
The department will also supervise the allocation of government land in the capital.
In addition, it will handle two major transport agencies. These are the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The change comes at a time when both agencies are expanding their networks.
DMRC is building several new metro corridors under its Phase IV expansion programme. NCRTC is also extending the Namo Bharat regional rapid transit network across the National Capital Region.
The government expects the new department to provide better coordination for Delhi’s transport, land management, and infrastructure projects.
MoHUA Delhi Capital Development Restructuring Separates National Urban Programmes
The newly created Department of Urban Development will manage urban programmes at the national level.
It will be responsible for several central government schemes. These include the Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, PM SVANidhi, and the Urban Challenge Fund.
The department will also handle matters related to climate and climate adaptation. This responsibility supports the government’s efforts to improve urban planning and prepare cities for climate-related challenges.
By separating Delhi-specific work from national programmes, the government aims to improve the implementation of both.
Government Appoints Secretaries for Both Departments
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also announced new appointments following the restructuring.
Senior IAS officer D. Thara from the Gujarat cadre has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Capital Development. She was serving as an Additional Secretary in MoHUA before this appointment.
IAS officer Satendra Singh from the Jharkhand cadre has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Urban Development.
Before taking up the new role, Singh served as Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. He also signed the gazette notification that officially created the two departments earlier on Thursday.
What the Restructuring Means
The new structure separates Delhi’s development work from nationwide urban programmes.
The Department of Capital Development will focus on projects related to Delhi, including transport, land management, and government infrastructure.
At the same time, the Department of Urban Development will concentrate on national schemes that support cities across India.
The government expects this change to improve coordination, speed up decision-making, and ensure that both Delhi-specific projects and nationwide urban programmes receive dedicated attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: The government divided the ministry to give separate attention to Delhi-specific projects and nationwide urban development programmes. This is expected to improve administrative efficiency.
A: No. Delhi Metro services will continue to operate normally. Only the administrative responsibility will now fall under the Department of Capital Development.
A: No. State urban development departments will continue to function under their respective state governments. The restructuring only changes the organization within the Central Government.
A: The department will oversee Delhi-related infrastructure, government land, public works, and key transport organizations such as DMRC and NCRTC.
A: The two departments became official after the Cabinet Secretariat issued a gazette notification amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.