Fixing drains, no flood-like situation this monsoon, GMDA tells residents

GURGAON: During the upcoming monsoon season, rainwater in the Aravallis will not flow into the city, and the storm water will be curtailed to curb any flood-like situation, said officials of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) during the fifth residents advisory council (RAC) meeting held on Thursday. The officials informed the residents that major works are underway to strengthen the drainage system of the city.
The meeting, headed by GMDA CEO PC Meena, was held after a gap of five months during which RAC members raised various issues related to the development of the city.
Officials said the work for the construction of a drain from Vatika Chowk, Sohna Road, up to NH-48 along SPR has recently been awarded to an agency, while the construction of a box drain along the sector dividing 10A/37C and 9/9A is also in progress.
“The construction of a drain network from Sector 68 to 80 and from Sector 112 to 115 with proper connectivity in the master drain is also among the new projects undertaken by the Authority for the development of the infrastructure in the city,” informed a GMDA official.
In addition to this, a joint committee with GMDA and MCG officials will be established to develop green belts in an organised manner and to timely address any issues being raised pertaining to the maintenance of the green belts. The direction came after residents raised the issue of the development of the green belts.
“We are inviting architects, landscapers, and citizens to contribute their conceptual plans and designs for the enhancement of the green belts of the city as well as road junctions, intersections, and walkways. A special focus is being given to the holistic development and remodelling of the city. We aim to execute the plans in a streamlined and well-structured manner,” said the GMDA CEO.
One of the RAC members, DD Sharma, who attended the meeting, suggested “the construction of rainwater harvesting pits along the Golf Course Road to recharge the underground water and avoid flooding.”
Meena directed the urban environment division to lower the green belts so that rainwater can be collected easily, which will further support the recharge of groundwater.
While RAC members Sudakshina Laha and Udaybir Yadav raised the issue of encroachments on the green belts and traffic jams caused by them, others, like Praveen Kumar, urged the Authority to look into improper waste management in the city.
The GMDA chief outlined that fencing will be carried out along the green belts to curb the encroachment as well as the illegal dumping of garbage and C&D waste on the green belts.
"A monitoring system of the secondary garbage collection points for waste management is being set up. These points and the Bandhwari collection point will be mapped with the Integrated Command and Control Centre of GMDA and will be under CCTV surveillance to ensure an effective system is in place to carry out regular and seamless waste collection and management operations across the city," added Mena.