Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Calls for Restoring Natural Stormwater Path

Union Minister and Gurugram MP Rao Inderjit Singh has termed the recharging of the city's natural water drainage system as the most important solution to all the recurring waterlogging issues that have haunted the Millennium City this monsoon. Singh said that he will preside over a key meeting with GMDA and MCG on September 18 to frame concrete solutions for the drainage crisis that has paralysed the city time and again.

Lost Infrastructure Behind Crisis 

The MP identified the root problem hampering Gurugram's flood management. "Band-aid solutions are being applied, but Gurugram must first solve this root problem," Singh said, citing the extensive encroachment of natural water streams by urbanization. Singh described how the city's geography renders it inherently prone to floods because of runoff from the Aravalli hills. He said that Gurugram previously had a large natural drainage system with stormwater drains and bandhs (check dams) dating back to British colonial times.

"This colonial system worked well up to the 1990s. Unfortunately, the majority of drains have been overrun by high-rise buildings and townships since then," said Singh, pointing out how fast-paced urbanization has methodically killed natural water management systems.

Alarming Survey Findings 

A 2022 survey by a state government indicated the scale of drainage loss, with Gurugram having lost almost 75% of its natural stormwater drains to real estate development induced by earlier master plan implementations. This evidence reflects the extent to which construction was preferred over necessary infrastructure in planning decisions.

Singh admitted that reversing current encroachments is a pragmatic problem. "We cannot reverse these, but we need to work around them. The best way to rescue drowning Gurugram is to restore the natural stormwater course," he stated, underlining adaptive, not entire reconstruction solutions.

Comprehensive Review Agenda

The meeting tomorrow will discuss various infrastructure issues other than drainage. Singh is likely to inspect the state of the Najafgarh drain and look into major waterlogging points across the city.

The agenda also includes transportation infrastructure, such as the progress of metro expansion, Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) growth, the shifting of Kherki Daula toll plaza, and connectivity works such as the Hero Honda Chowk-Umang Bhardwaj Chowk connecting link. Post-monsoon road repair work will also be looked into.

Singh conceded that sanitation continues to be an issue even after improvements. "Much has been streamlined, but sanitation is still an issue in Gurugram. We are finding a solution in the next six months, with councillors being engaged in pointing out area-specific issues to ensure realistic solutions," he said.

The MP's strategy indicates acknowledgment that Gurugram infrastructure issues are best addressed with systematic solutions and not just short-term ones.