Latest news with #MunicipalCorporationofGurugram
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
2 months on, sewage chokes Rajendra Park; locals claim civic apathy
For over two months, residents of Rajendra Park in Ward 34 have been battling a severe sanitation crisis, with sewage water flooding streets, blocking roads, and threatening public health, residents said. The issue, which began as a drainage problem on July 8, has since escalated into what locals described as a full-blown hazard—marked by stagnant wastewater, foul stench, and rising cases of illness. An inundated street in Rajendra Park, Sector 105. (HT Photo) Despite filing multiple complaints on the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) portal, attending grievance camps, and submitting a detailed letter to the deputy commissioner on July 24, the problem remains unresolved, locals claimed. 'We have done everything—complaints, meetings, even documentation with dates—but no one is acting,' said a resident. A widely shared video from July 23 starkly captured the extent of the problem, showing dirty sewage water encircling the Lord Shiva Temple at Gol Chakkar. 'I used to go to the temple twice a day,' said Rani, 68, a long-time devotee. 'Now I can't even step out. I nearly fell last week outside my house,' she added. Local businesses are also suffering, residents said. 'My customers avoid this area now. I am unable to pay my rent. This shop is our only source of survival,' said Shyam Pal Shekhawat, 40, who runs a grocery store nearby. The elderly are among the worst affected. Mange Ram Yadav, a 75-year-old retired army veteran and environmentalist, said even his medicines no longer get delivered. 'The delivery boys refuse to come here,' he said, adding, 'This place I once proudly kept green is now unrecognisable.' An inundated stretch in the area. (HT Photo) The crisis has also raised serious safety concerns. On July 19, a sewer line dug for cleaning was reportedly left open, creating a hazard for pedestrians. 'It's a death trap,' said a local parent. 'Children could fall in any time.' Mobility and housing have also taken a hit. Pramod Sharma, a resident and shop owner, said, 'I can't even reach Gurugram Railway Station without stepping through filth. I haven't had a tenant in months due to the mess.' As the sewage continues to overflow, residents are reporting a surge in health complaints, including skin infections, persistent coughing, and foul odours seeping into homes. Several residents also said Ramzan observances were disrupted due to the unhygienic surroundings. In response to the situation, MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said a team would inspect the site on Monday to initiate corrective action. However, residents remained sceptical. 'The hope is that this time, action will follow the promises,' one of them said. 'Residents have been grappling with this issue for over 12 years, and it's not something that can be fixed overnight,' said Surekha Chauhan, councillor of Ward 34. 'The sewer lines haven't been cleaned in all these years, which is what led to the current situation. We have already floated a tender, and once the monsoon subsides, desilting and cleaning work will begin in full swing. The rains have caused some delays, but the process is underway—and gradual cleaning has already started. It will take some time, but we are fully committed to resolving the issue.'
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gurugram: MCG to penalise bulk waste violators, launches enforcement drive
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) will launch a city-wide enforcement campaign against Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) found violating the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, in a bid to improve sanitation and enforce environmental norms. To be sure, BWGs—defined as establishments generating 100 kilograms or more of waste per day—are legally obligated to segregate waste at the source into wet, dry, and hazardous categories. (HT Archive) The civic body will start issuing fines to non-compliant establishments from Monday, with the initial round involving issuance of notices and strict fines for continued violations. 'Entities not following the solid waste management norms will now face strict penalties. Initially, notices will be issued, and if non-compliance persists, heavy fines will follow,' said MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya, adding that the initiative is part of a broader awareness campaign. 'Despite repeated awareness campaigns, compliance remains poor. Now is the time for strict enforcement,' Dahiya said. To be sure, BWGs—defined as establishments generating 100 kilograms or more of waste per day—are legally obligated to segregate waste at the source into wet, dry, and hazardous categories. These include large housing societies, hotels, industrial units, institutional buildings, and office complexes. While wet waste must be composted on-site, dry and hazardous waste should be handed over to authorised recyclers, the MCG said. Officials clarified that the drive is not meant to be punitive alone but also aims to strengthen compliance and awareness among high-volume waste producers. The civic body has also urged all BWGs to implement proper segregation and disposal systems, promising technical assistance for those who need it. The move, authorities believe, will improve Gurugram's waste management ecosystem and position it as a model for sustainable urban living.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Migrant exodus cripples Gurugram's daily life, garbage piles up
A civic and humanitarian crisis is quietly unfolding in Gurugram. Garbage on Khandsa Road in Gurugram Sector 11 on Friday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) In its upscale apartments and gated colonies, the signs are everywhere — uncollected garbage, stinking corridors, and families scrambling to manage chores. Over the past week, hundreds of sanitation workers, domestic helps, and daily wagers — many of them migrants from West Bengal and Assam — have left the city amid a police verification drive targeting alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. What began as a law enforcement exercise has spiralled into a civic rupture, exposing how deeply Gurugram's daily rhythms rely on an invisible workforce now fleeing the city. Fearful of harassment and arbitrary detention, many have packed up overnight and left, disrupting core civic services and pushing both resident welfare associations (RWAs) and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) into crisis mode. On Friday, the impact became unmissable. Across South City 2, Sector 45, Sector 47, Palam Vihar, Sector 109, Sector 69–70, Sector 57, Wazirabad, and Badshahpur, at least 10 trucks were seen ferrying household goods out of slum clusters. According to residents and RWAs, entire families fled under cover of darkness to avoid being stopped at police checkpoints. 'I have been working in Gurugram for four years, but now I am scared,' said Rashida Bibi, a domestic worker in Sector 45, as she loaded her belongings into a tempo bound for Murshidabad. 'People are saying we will be arrested. I don't know what's happening, so I am going home.' Mohammad Arif, a sanitation worker in Sector 69, said even those with Aadhaar cards were being questioned. 'We are not criminals, but we are being treated like that. I've decided to leave before things get worse.' Sabina Khatoon, who worked as a cook in Sector 57, said her family had already left quietly at night. 'Even if you are legal, people are suspicious. I'll return if things calm down, but for now, I'm going back to Malda.' The exodus has hit where it hurts most — cleanliness and basic domestic functioning. 'We've had no garbage collection for the last two weeks,' said Manav Singh, a resident of Palam Vihar. 'Our sanitation agency says most of its employees have left due to the police crackdown. We're now dealing with overflowing bins and stinking corridors. It's a complete breakdown.' Some residents allege that the police action has not just spurred fear but crossed into harassment. 'Our house help's family was allegedly picked up and beaten. They were asked to pay ₹10,000 to be let go,' said Prabhat Bhardwaj, president of Bellevue Central Park-2, Sector 48. 'We need a clear policy and an official ID system to avoid such chaos.' Gurugram Police, however, has denied the allegations. 'The drive is focused solely on identifying and deporting illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. So far, 10 such individuals have been identified,' a senior officer said. 'There is no harassment involved. All procedures are monitored on camera. We've received some complaints of misinformation and are looking into them.' An advisory issued to RWAs by the police and accessed by HT stated that no legal resident or Indian citizen would face action. 'Some mischievous elements are spreading rumours that residents from certain states are being targeted. These are false. Please do not panic,' the note read. Yet, the toll on services continues to mount. MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya admitted that sanitation has been severely hit. 'We are conducting daily sanitation review meetings. While the situation is challenging, we won't let the city fall into crisis,' he said. 'We're engaging private contractors until new long-term agencies are on-boarded.' The fragility of the system was already exposed by the expiration of Gurugram's waste collection contract in June. Although four private agencies were roped in temporarily, the sudden loss of trained labour has brought the system to its knees. In Sector 50, the disruption has been acute. 'Many residents have small children and both parents working. With maids, car cleaners, and other workers fleeing, managing home and office is becoming impossible,' said Nilesh Tandon, RWA president of Fresco Apartments. Some residents have called for a more nuanced approach. 'The identification of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators is a complex exercise. They often possess fake Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter IDs,' said Major General (Retd) Subhash Gogna, a resident of Sector 79. 'This isn't a job that can be completed in a few days. We must cooperate with the police and support legitimate Bengali-speaking Indians who may otherwise be unfairly targeted.' Citizen activist Gauri Sarin, founder of Making Model Gurugram, urged RWAs to act responsibly. 'We must circulate factual notes within societies, support staff who are legitimate citizens, and avoid fuelling rumours,' she said. 'Shockingly, over 70% of RWAs don't even have verified records of their house helps or drivers.' There is no official count of how many workers have fled, but district officials estimate that over 100,000 migrants from states like West Bengal and Assam live in Gurugram. With more departures expected, the city could be staring at a prolonged civic and humanitarian crisis.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Bandhwari landfill to get ₹96 lakh green makeover
Gurugram: The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has floated a tender worth ₹96lakh to beautify the Bandhwari landfill's front-facing stretch along the Gurugram-Faridabad Road. The initiative, which is a part of a larger ₹2.45 crore revamp, aims to mitigate the visual and environmental impact of the landfill through a mix of landscaping, fencing and plantation, officials aware of the matter, said. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the Bandhwari landfill stretch, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has initiated a beautification drive along its periphery to shield the massive garbage dump from public view in Gurugram. (PARVEEN KUMAR/HT) MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the project tender includes planting trees and shrubs, erecting fences, installing tree guards, and surface turfing alongside newly constructed view cutters. 'Administrative and technical approvals were already granted. The tender will be opened on July 29,' he added. 'This is not just about hiding a landfill. It is about setting a new standard in how civic bodies deal with legacy waste sites. The beautification is part of a broader vision for ecological restoration and urban cleanliness. A long-term plan is also being drafted, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be prepared by the end of September after appointing a consultant. The aim is to develop a sustainable solution,' Dahiya said. The MCG chief, along with additional commissioner Ravinder Yadav and Swachh Bharat Mission joint commissioner Dr Preetpal Singh, conducted a site inspection on Wednesday. The officials reviewed ongoing work at the site including the installation of view cutters, construction of an RCC drain, and preparations for the beautification project. As part of the makeover, a 15-metre-wide and 400-metre-long cement concrete (CC) road will be built along the view cutters. A boundary wall, stormwater drain, and a second weighbridge to improve garbage truck movement are also part of the plan. Installation of jersey barriers between the road and view cutters is already in progress. A commuter, Manoj Sharma, who is a resident of Sector 56 and works in Faridabad welcomed the move: 'For years, we have driven past the landfill holding our breath. It's unpleasant and embarrassing. If this makeover brings greenery and hides the garbage, it's a win for everyone.' Meanwhile, work on constructing view cutters, a boundary wall, and a stormwater drain worth ₹2 crore has already begun on July 14. According to MCG officials, view cutters are being installed to block direct sight of the landfill from the main road. Leachate and waste that had spread to the road outside the site have been cleaned and transferred inside, clearing the road and creating a dedicated internal route for garbage trucks—reducing traffic disruptions and improving hygiene. In addition, a ₹2.45-crore proposal was floated on July 18 (tender to be opened on July 29), which includes construction of a 15-metre-wide, 400-metre-long cement concrete road alongside view cutters. An RCC drain has also been proposed. To avoid traffic delays due to garbage trucks queuing outside, the civic body has planned to install a second weighbridge to streamline entry and exit. A diesel generator has already been set up to ensure continuous power supply for these operations, allowing round-the-clock work at the site. With these steps, MCG aims to make the Bandhwari landfill a model for sustainable and citizen-friendly waste management.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Residents struggle to reach temple on Shivratri due to waterlogged road in Gurugram
Residents and devotees in Rajendra Park, Sector 105, Gurugram, were forced to wade through stagnant, filthy water to offer prayers on the occasion of Shivratri on Wednesday, as the area outside the shrine in Block C remained waterlogged due to persistent sewer overflow and rainwater accumulation. The waterlogged street due to sewer overflow at block-C Rajendra Park near Shiv Mandir, Gurugram on Wednesday. (HT Photo) Women and elderly devotees could be seen navigating the dirty water, trying to keep themselves dry while reaching the steps of the temple. The waterlogged street raised serious concerns about hygiene and public health. 'Shivratri is a sacred day for us, and yet we are forced to walk through sewer water to reach the temple,' said a local woman who came to offer prayers early in the morning. Pushpa Devi, 50, a local resident said, 'Every year we celebrate Shivratri here. Women fast, pray, and offer water to Lord Shiva. But today, we had to walk through sewage to reach the temple. It feels heartbreaking. This is not just about inconvenience — it feels like we are disrespecting our own faith because of the condition we are in. No one should have to walk barefoot in this dirty water.' The problem is not new to the area. As reported earlier by residents through their complaints to MCG, they have been dealing with sewer line blockages and waterlogging for over six months. Complaints have been filed with the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), but no permanent solution has been provided so far. After the recent rains, the condition worsened, leaving several parts of the area waterlogged for days. The stagnant water has led many residents to consider shifting homes or leaving the locality altogether. 'Government promises are only on paper. This is not the first time we're facing this. Every monsoon, the same story repeats — dirty water collects outside our homes, making life miserable. Children fall sick, and elders can't even step outside. Now people are seriously thinking about moving out. Even festivals don't bring happiness anymore when we can't even reach our temple without stepping in sewage,' said Tulsi Ram Sharma, a long-time resident of the area. When asked about the issue, Sunder Sheoran, executive engineer, MCG, said, 'Our machines and teams have already been deployed for dewatering the area. The issue is linked to the sewage system. At night, the water gets drained, but it returns again during peak hours in the morning. We have already floated a tender for desilting the main line. Work is also ongoing on the main sewer lines that connect to the STP (Sewage Treatment Plant). A permanent solution is in progress.' Residents have once again appealed to the authorities for urgent and permanent measures to resolve the issue.
