Gurgaon is likely to experience widespread waterlogging again this monsoon season, as authorities have yet to commence work on 41 identified hotspots, according to a review report by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG).
Current Status of Desilting Work
Of the 155 waterlogging-prone hotspots spread across 35 wards under the corporation, desilting work has been completed at 55 locations, while work at 59 sites is currently underway. Authorities have missed key deadlines, raising concerns about potential flooding in the near future. The original deadline for desilting work was May 31, which has now been extended to June 15. However, with the monsoon approaching, officials admit that the likelihood of completing the remaining work is slim.
Temporary Arrangements and Expert Concerns
With permanent drainage upgrades far from completion, the corporation has begun making temporary arrangements. An officer stated, “To manage emergencies during the monsoon, authorities will deploy 35 large generator sets, water tankers, and tractors across key points to pump out accumulated rainwater.” A workforce of 44 supervisors and 270 staff will be stationed across the city to keep the drainage and sewer systems functional. However, experts caution that unless drainage lines are interconnected and fully cleaned, temporary pumps and generators will be largely ineffective during intense rainfall.
Drainage Network Details
MCG’s jurisdiction includes 607 km of stormwater drains. Of this, 408 km has been cleaned. Officials claim they will extend the cleaning to 473.6 km, but 153 km of drains remain unattended. Additionally, 66 km of the drainage network has not yet been mapped.
Last Year's Impact
Last monsoon, eight people lost their lives due to waterlogging and open drains. Among them, an auto driver drowned in an open drain, and an engineer died after getting electrocuted from a streetlight pole. Major areas along NH-48, including Narsingpur, Hero Honda Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, and IFFCO Chowk, saw 3 to 4 feet of standing water, triggering massive traffic jams and turning short commutes into hours-long ordeals.
