Why Gurugram struggles to retain its Millennium City moniker come monsoon
Every year, the city faces the problem of waterlogging. (Photo: Getty/DailyO)
Gurugram, known as the "Millennium City," has earned its reputation for remarkable growth and attracting multinational corporations, Unicorns, Fortune 500 companies, and startups.
The recent announcement by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to change the name of the HUDA City Centre station to Millenium City Center Station signifies the city's ongoing achievements and progress.
In reference to our earlier tweet regarding the renaming of the HUDA City Centre Metro station, this is to inform that the full name of the station will read as Millennium City Centre Gurugram.
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I कृपया मास्क पहनें😷 (@OfficialDMRC) July 3, 2023
Anuj Dayal
Principal Executive Director
Corporate Communication
DMRC
However, behind the celebratory atmosphere lies a persistent issue: the city's infrastructure, including roads, sanitation, and drainage systems, falls short of its Millennium City claim, particularly during heavy rainfall.
#WATCH | Severe waterlogging near Gurugram's Narsinghpur Chowk as the city continues to receive heavy rain pic.twitter.com/AhA4XtfUNX
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023
Year after year, during the monsoon season, Gurugram continues to face significant challenges in providing the necessary support and facilities expected from a city paying 1% of the national GDP, with such lofty aspirations.
- Reports from September 2022 show how a few hours of rainfall brought the city to a standstill with waterlogged roads and drains.
Traffic Alert :-
— Gurugram Traffic Police (@TrafficGGM) September 22, 2022
Traffic congestion has been reported on NH-48 due to heavy water logging near Narsinghpur towards Jaipur.Our traffic officials present on the spot to facilitate the traffic. @gurgaonpolice pic.twitter.com/DDlNeMIOQr
- In July 2021, similar visuals of most of the parts of the city turning into mini rivers came through.
Gurugram: rains flood the roads, turning them into small rivers. Many vehicles lay marooned on the roads as they got stuck due to waterlogging.#Rains #Delhi #DelhiRains #Gurugram #Gurgaon #WaterLogging #TrafficJams pic.twitter.com/PIJVtqneMU
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 19, 2021
In a funny turn of events the same year, the local Urban Planning body's office space looked like this.
This is #Gurugram during monsoons pic.twitter.com/aqRHOgqzRj
— Dr. Leena Dhankhar (@leenadhankhar) July 19, 2021
- Although 2020 was a rain-deficient year, during the monsoon that year, the underpasses on the DLFs crown jewel, Golf Course Road turned into pools of sorts after a 95 mm spell. COVID-induced lockdown might have hampered the maintenance of roads and drainages, but the following years were no different.
Underpass near Golf Course Road Gurugram after heavy rainfall today. 😳 pic.twitter.com/VYJrksFQwD
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 19, 2020
- Reports from 2019's early spell in July 2019 paint a similar picture. Netizens took to social to voice the horror of the monsoon-led jams and waterlogging. The then-new underpass on the Mehrauli-Gurugram road also had rainwater filled in it, only to be pumped out later.
Sohna Road sector 48 is under water, crazy traffic and super cold water logging.#Gurgaon #flood #TrafficUpdate pic.twitter.com/qgiuC2muWv
— TheBarman (@sidpraz) July 4, 2019
Why is the problem so persistent with Gurugram?
- The fundamental flaw in the city's urban planning, while it was being mapped, lies at the heart of the recurring problem. The drainage system, defying the topography and ignorance of the natural water channels of Aravalis makes it tough for the accumulated rainwater to escape. Also, the city does not have a prominent river or a lake nearby to discharge the water.
- The concretised impermeable surfaces throughout the city stop the rainwater from seeping in, resulting in it flowing into roads and residential spaces.
- Speaking of the poor upkeep of roads, as the periphery of the city is evergrowing, the movement of large and heavy construction-related vehicles makes the roads weak over time, and with a spell of rain the next day, the surface disintegrates.
- Poor monsoon preparedness and maintenance of drains in turn contribute to frequent waterlogging instances in the Millenium City.
It is essential for Gurugram to address these concerns and focus on strengthening its infrastructure and public services to truly justify its title as the Millennium City. Only then can it fully embody the spirit of progress and development that its name suggests.