Keeping in view the massive traffic snarls triggered by the rains last year, Haryana chief secretary issued instructions to the Gurugram administration to take preventive measures.
The authorities held several meetings with various officials who were asked to get the drains cleaned ahead of the monsoons.
Last year, on July 28, heavy squalls had paralysed NH 8, stranding thousands of commuters across Millennium City. Hero Honda Chowk was cleared after a harrowing 24 hours!
That memory is still fresh in the minds of residents, who took to social media after the showers this weekend.
“Even the slightest showers and I am taken back to my terrifying experience last year, when I reached home after 11 hours straight! If it happens again, I will park my car in office and stay at my friend’s place,” said Mayank Jain, a Delhi resident.
Gurugram’s main drain, Khandsa, is roughly 40 km long and passes through the city from Ghata to Najafgarh drain via Hero Honda Chowk. However, after crossing NH 8, the drain turns narrow near Hero Honda Chowk, failing to carry out water in case of heavy showers.
Though widening work was supposed to happen on the connecting Badshahpur drain in Khandsa village, things are yet to take off.
Speaking to City Spidey, Hardeep Sigh, Gurugram deputy commissioner, said, “We have to get the Khandsa bottleneck cleared. We are planning to offer alternative plots to owners whose structures come in the way of the drain-widening work.”
He added, “But we are better prepared this year. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has asked us to arrange for motor pumps to have the drains desilted, and take other necessary measures to tackle waterlogging across the city.”
