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Commuters wade through a waterlogged Delhi-Gurugram expressway after heavy rains. (Image: PTI)
Internet users shared pictures and videos of flooded roads from their vehicles and balconies, calling out the poor civic infrastructure of Gurugram, which is Haryana’s financial and technology hub
#Gurugram trended on social media on Sunday (August 11) as internet users went into a tizzy sharing pictures and videos of flooded roads from their vehicles and balconies, calling out the poor civic infrastructure of Haryana’s financial and technology hub.
After heavy rains lashed Delhi and adjoining areas, severe waterlogging threatened to throw life out of gear for residents of the ‘Millenium City’, which is part of the national capital region. Many took a dig at the city’s name, dubbing it “Jalgram” as they shared how people were wading through waist-deep water while water entered homes in posh localities.
Every year before the rainy season, Gurgaon admin declares, “we are fully prepared, there will be no water logging”, yet this repeats every year without fail.People die of electrocution, houses get flooded. Multiple govt agencies keep blaming each other #Gurugram #GurugramRains https://t.co/P0jH8eTlof— Ankur Jain (@ajonit) August 11, 2024
Sharing the videos and pictures on social media, some people tagged the Gurugram Municipal Corporation, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and the deputy commissioner while others also tagged the Haryana government and the chief minister’s office.
Internet users said roads have turned into “rivers” in areas like Golf Course Road, which is a location for highly priced luxury flats. Others slammed civic authorities for not ensuring basic drainage facilities while others alleged corruption in construction projects. A user even suggested that pensions and salaries of civic officials responsible should be put on hold and losses recovered from their assets.
“COORDINATED COOPERATION for CORRUPTION in CONSTRUCTION #GurugramRains NO ROADS NO DRAINAGE. Why shouldn’t pensions & salaries of officials responsible be put on hold and recovery for losses be initiated from their assets? @DC_Gurugram @gurgaonpolice @cmohry #Gurgaon,” a user wrote on X.
Another user on X called the city “Kudagram”, posting a video of a road littered with garbage in Sector 52. The user said the state government needs to “walk the talk” on claims of “mega santitation drive”. “A drive down this road in sector 52 refutes all claims of mega sanitation drive in #Gurugram #Gurgaon.Its a marsh of garbage which commuters have to bear in rains of Kudagram. @cmohry @NayabSainiBJP @Rao_InderjitS #Haryana govt needs to walk.the talk here,” the user said.
Many users called Gurugram “modern-day Venice” as cars stood submerged due to the severe waterlogging while others complained of power cuts and said they were “fed up of the infrastructure”. “Heavy rains have turned Gurgaon into a modern-day Venice, with severe waterlogging and no drainage in sight. The situation is dire and requires the immediate attention of MCG and other authorities to prevent further chaos. #Gurgaon @cmohry @MunCorpGurugram @rwa_ardeecity” an X user said.
“Its rains a little and power cut happens. Do the wires get wet or what ! Just fed up of the infrastructure #Gurugram has . Please do something for it, its getting worst. This does not happen with #Delhi or #Noida why in #Gurgaon #dhbvn” another user wrote on X.
Internet users also alleged that the poor condition of roads and other civic infrastructure is inspite of the crores spent every year. Many reported road cave-ins and damage to sewerage from different areas of the city.
“This is #Gurgaon which gets submerged after a few hours of rain, boats start plying on the roads, this is its beauty! #Gurugram #아이이 #Rain,” an X user wrote.
“The world class roads of millennium city The #Gurgaon #Gurugram .Every year several hundred crores are spent on roads and they can’t even handle one rain. Latest cave in Manohar Nagar where even the sewerage line underneath is damaged. @OfficialGMDA @MunCorpGurugram @cmohry @Rao_InderjitS” another user said.
Before any other infrastructure development, a comprehensive survey of whole gurugram and subsequent overhaul of the drain infra is a must. Lip service during elections will not suffice. The city that rakes in the largest revenue is reeling during rains https://t.co/XkCPBNeOhb— prasad (@prasadln) August 11, 2024
The MeT predicted moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms in Gurugram while other experts warned of severe waterlogging in many areas of the city.