The Gurgaon Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), which conducted readiness drills at 21 underpasses across the city, flagged non-operational pumps at several flood-prone locations.
Conducted between May 5 and May 15, the drills exposed non-functional pumping machinery near Medanta, Rajiv Chowk and Sector 84-36B underpasses, areas known to be vulnerable to waterlogging. GMDA has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address the issues without delay to ensure proper drainage during heavy rains. The tests aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dewatering systems, drainage networks, and emergency backup power. While 18 underpasses passed the checks with operational pumps and adequate drainage, the failures raised fresh concerns. Critical junctions such as Ambience Mall, Shankar Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, Vatika Chowk, and several along the Golf Course Road corridor, including Sikanderpur and DLF 1 underpasses, were part of the inspection.
The drills were coordinated with both DLF and Public Works Department (PWD) teams. “These exercises have helped us assess the ground reality,” said GMDA executive engineer Vikram Singh. “Most underpasses are adequately equipped, but we have issued clear instructions to fix the deficiencies we found.” In addition to underpass inspections, GMDA is implementing broader flood mitigation measures. These include installing new pump sets, cleaning major drains and gullies, and improving rainwater flow through enhanced connectivity. However, NHAI contested GMDA’s findings, citing power supply disruptions rather than equipment failure. “The pumps are functional. It was a power issue,” a senior NHAI official said. “GMDA can recheck the site if needed.” The Dhanwapur underpass stood out for having no pumping arrangement at all. PWD has been asked to install adequate pump sets at the earliest to reduce the risk of flooding.
To simulate flood conditions during the drills, water from fire tenders was pumped into underground sumps. Pumps were then activated and DG sets tested to ensure backup power during outages. As Gurgaon braces for its first monsoon showers, the gaps exposed in flood control infrastructure raise urgency for immediate corrective action.
