Gurugram: Illegal ramps, encroachments on green belts and footpaths, and unauthorised structures are worsening waterlogging and traffic congestion across Gurugram, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has warned.
The civic body has issued a public notice against unauthorised ramps constructed over public roads and streets, saying they reduce the effective width of carriageways, obstruct traffic movement and, in several cases, contribute to waterlogging.
The warning comes after Gurugram received 97 mm of rainfall on August 7, which flooded several arterial roads and low lying areas and once again exposed the city’s drainage problems.
MCG and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority have identified 155 waterlogging hotspots across the city this monsoon. Zone VI, covering DLF colonies and adjoining sectors, has the highest number with 30 hotspots. Old Gurugram has 28 persistent waterlogging points, while Sheetla Mata Road has emerged as a new trouble spot.
The two civic agencies spend around Rs 450-500 crore every year on drainage related works. Despite this residents and civic activists have raised questions over the effectiveness of the spending, pointing to recurring flooding at several locations.
Officials have separately attributed more than 70 per cent of the identified waterlogging hotspots to illegal stilt plus four and stilt plus five constructions. Such developments can block natural drainage channels and increase pressure on stormwater infrastructure designed for lower density areas.
The MCG has also flagged temporary and semi permanent structures such as tin sheds, kiosks, khokhas and dhabas on green belts, roadsides and other public land. Encroachments by street vendors near markets and congested junctions were also identified as factors restricting pedestrian and vehicular movement.
The civic body said it would take action against unauthorised encroachments, constructions, land occupation and other obstructions. Enforcement costs would also be recovered from violators.
The notice further warned against unauthorised land use conversion and construction, directing violators to regularise their structures or face stringent action.
The latest warning highlights a larger challenge for Gurugram, where rapid urbanisation, construction violations and encroachment are adding pressure to already strained drainage infrastructure during increasingly intense monsoon rainfall.