Haryana Forest Minister Sanjay Singh issues directives to avert waterlogging repeat in Gurugram

Gurugram, July 28

Haryana Forest Minister and Sohna MLA Sanjay Singh on Saturday directed officials of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Municipal Corporation to conduct a joint inspection and identify reasons that led to heavy waterlogging in residential areas of Sectors 55, 56, 57, Sushant Lok 2 and Sushant Lok 3. Singh directed the officials to submit a report within two days.

Every time there are incidents of waterlogging, they go looking for reasons behind it. What were they doing while holding anti-flood meetings? The civic agencies should have cleaned the drains in time, but they failed to do so. — Pawan Yadav, president, Sushant Lok Phase 3 RWA

This directive comes after the recent incidence of waterlogging in areas around Sushant Lok caught national attention with videos going viral on social media.

The minister ordered the senior MCG and GMDA officials to take remedial measures immediately and ensure that the waterlogging crises was not repeated. He further said that action could be taken against officials if waterlogging continues to occur in the area. The minister also asked the MCG officials to ensure roads were repaired in the Sushant Lok 2 and 3 area.

“The officials of the civic agencies were asked to inspect areas where waterlogging was taking place and take remedial measures. They were asked to take steps to divert water from residential areas to natural creeks and stormwater drains. Steps such as cleaning the sewage drains and stormwater network should be taken up on priority, particularly in Sushant Lok 2 and 3 on priority,” said a statement issued by the minister.

However, the minister’s directive has failed to impress residents, who dismissed it as sheer mockery. Pawan Yadav, president of Sushant Lok Phase 3 residents welfare association, attributed the persistent menace of waterlogging to the authorities’ negligence. The civic agencies should have cleaned drains in time, but they failed to do so.

“Rather than pulling them up the government and giving them ways to wriggle out of accountability. Around 600 families in both areas were affected and residents faced extensive damage to their households,” said Yadav.

Residents said water was getting accumulated up to three-four feet on the roads of Sushant Lok. Besides, the water also entered the ground floor of several houses and basements, causing extensive damage to household items.