Gurugram’s recurring waterlogging problem has once again triggered questions over the city’s infrastructure, but BJP MP Dharambir Singh has pointed to rapid growth, outdated planning and changing rainfall patterns rather than blaming the government.
Speaking to NDTV after heavy rain caused flooding and traffic disruption in parts of the city, Singh said authorities were making efforts to deal with the situation but faced limitations.
‘We didn’t anticipate Gurugram will grow this big’
Singh, the BJP MP from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, said Gurugram’s original planning did not account for the scale at which the city would eventually expand.
“We didn't anticipate Gurugram will grow this big.”
He said the city now has far more residents, houses and vehicles than planners had expected decades ago.
“We didn't know so many people, houses and vehicles will come to Gurugram,” the MP told NDTV.
According to Singh, the drainage network has also been affected by construction and encroachment over the years, leaving little room to expand the existing system.
“The old drains have been squeezed due to construction. We are unable to broaden them now,” he said.
MP points to heavy rain and weather changes
Singh also cited the nature of rainfall as one of the reasons behind water accumulation in the city.
“Now it rains suddenly and heavily.”
“These days there is sudden and heavy rain. Water gets accumulated and takes time to go away,” he said.
The remarks came after another spell of monsoon rain left several roads flooded, with school buses among the vehicles affected by prolonged waterlogging.
Singh maintained that the government and administration were working to address the problem.
“There is no fault of the government.”
“We work to the best of our abilities to drain the water.”
‘All will be fixed by 2047’
Asked when Gurugram’s infrastructure problems would be resolved, Singh pointed to the proposed masterplan for 2047.
“The new masterplan for 2047 will develop the city for future needs. All will be taken care of then.”
Singh also said authorities “work hard to ensure there is no jam and waterlogging, but all can't be done”.
Rao Inderjit Singh blames past policies
BJP MP from Gurugram Rao Inderjit Singh offered a different explanation, blaming development carried out during the Congress era.
“Waterlogging has been occurring in Gurugram for years. The main reason is that development has taken place over the old, traditional drains that used to carry water from the hills to the Yamuna. We are still dealing with the consequences of this development that happened during the Congress era today,” the MP said.