Urban Focus: Devender Singh to Drive Development in Hisar and Sonipat
In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Haryana government has appointed retired IAS officer Devender Singh (IAS:1987:HY) as Advisor for Urban Development, replacing former Chief Secretary D S Dhesi (IAS:1982:HY), who has now been relieved from the post.
An official order issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Wednesday confirmed Singh’s appointment. In this new role, Singh will be responsible for overseeing the operations and strategic planning of the Metropolitan Development Authorities in Sonipat and Hisar.
Veteran Administrator to Lead Urban Transformation
A seasoned bureaucrat, Devender Singh brings extensive experience across key departments in the Haryana government. Over the course of his career, he has served as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) in critical sectors such as:
Public Health Engineering
Irrigation & Water Resources
Town & Country Planning
Urban Estates
Following his retirement in August 2022—after the Central Government denied a request for service extension—Singh was appointed as Advisor (Irrigation) to the Chief Minister. His latest assignment underscores the government’s continued confidence in his leadership and expertise in governance.
Transition from D S Dhesi
Singh takes over from D S Dhesi, a fellow retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Haryana, known for his significant contributions to urban infrastructure and long-term development planning in the state. Dhesi’s tenure as Urban Development Advisor focused on laying the foundation for integrated city growth and sustainable urban solutions.
Vision for Urban Growth in Sonipat and Hisar
While the formal terms of Singh’s appointment will be issued separately, his primary mandate is expected to include:
Driving integrated and sustainable urban development
Addressing key metropolitan challenges
Accelerating infrastructure and planning initiatives in Sonipat and Hisar, two of Haryana’s fastest-growing urban centres
Strategic Expertise in Urban Planning
With decades of experience in infrastructure, planning, and public administration, Singh is well-positioned to guide large-scale urban development projects and support Haryana’s mission to enhance urban governance and livability standards across its metropolitan regions.
