As the monsoon season approaches, residents of Gurugram are voicing their frustration over the city’s persistent waterlogging issues. Despite repeated complaints and proposals for improvement, authorities have yet to implement effective solutions.
Members of the citizen-led initiative Making Model Gurugram (MMG) have submitted detailed reports identifying chronic waterlogging hotspots across the city. These reports have been shared with the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), and even Haryana cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh. However, no meaningful mitigation plans have been put in place. Gauri Sarin, founder of MMG, expressed her disappointment, stating, “Residents have done the groundwork that authorities should have led. There is now enough data on waterlogging spots shared with all relevant agencies and officials. The last four months should have been used to plan and implement preventive measures, but we’re still waiting.”
Sarin emphasized the need for a multipronged approach, including the removal of flow barriers, cleaning of drains and sumps, construction of harvesting pits, and management of low-lying zones. She also called for the formation of a dedicated flood control task force to swiftly respond to citizen complaints and enforce drainage corrections before the rains hit.Despite public statements from officials acknowledging waterlogging as a recurring challenge, MMG members insist that no ground-level consultation or action has been undertaken. “Residents understand the context of their neighbourhoods. Why not involve them meaningfully?” Sarin asked.
In Gurugram’s Sector 48, residents of Tatvam Villas have taken matters into their own hands. A colour-coded road marking system devised by resident Manjeev Aggarwal now helps commuters navigate safely through flooded roads. Green, yellow, and red markers denote safe, cautious, and avoid zones respectively. “This simple system eliminated vehicle stranding incidents last year for the first time,” said Priyansha Aggarwal, another resident, who added that blocked drains near V Club continue to cause damage and pose health risks.
MMG members are now urging authorities to shift to a proactive, citizen-inclusive planning approach, warning that without institutional accountability, Gurugram’s flood-prone streets may once again be submerged in chaos this monsoon.
The city’s waterlogging issues are not new. Previous reports have highlighted the inadequacy of the existing drainage infrastructure and the lack of effective planning. Despite spending over Rs 100 crore on anti-waterlogging measures in the past three years, the problem persists. Experts attribute the waterlogging issue to the elevation difference between Gurugram and the nearby Aravali range, highlighting the city’s inadequate consideration of elevation levels during its design.Residents are calling for a comprehensive approach to address the waterlogging crisis, including improved urban planning, upgraded infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems, effective maintenance practices, and community involvement. Without these changes, Gurugram’s waterlogging woes are likely to continue, affecting the daily lives of its residents.The time for action is now. Residents are urging authorities to listen to their concerns and implement effective solutions to address the waterlogging issues before the monsoon season begins.
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