Gurgaon Sector 69, 70 await basic amenities
Lack of public transport options and other basic amenities is a major problem for people who have moved to the newly developed sectors in Gurgaon.
The rising property rate in the city has accelerated the development of areas along the northern and southern peripheries of Gurgaon. A number of people are moving into these newly developed areas with high hopes.
Around 72 new sectors have been carved out of the lesser known area of the city. A large number of properties have come up along the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), which connects Badshahpur Chowk to
NH8 near Kherki Daula, and the Northern Peripheral Road also called the Dwarka Expressway.
Knowing that the areas will be in close proximity to New Gurgaon, which is very well connected with the neighbouring cities and has good hospitals, shopping centres and schools, people have flocked to the newly developing areas.
Despite having everything going for it, there are several setbacks. As the residents of Sector 69-70 talk about their daily routine, the ordeal that they go through becomes clear.
Even though the road connects SPR to Faridabad, Sohna, Delhi and other developed parts of Gurgaon, commuters have to wait for an hour or two before they are able to find any public transport. Lack of public transport ensures that residents have to depend on their own vehicles and carpooling.
The five stations of Delhi Metro network — Guru Dronacharya, Sikanderpur, MG Road, IFFCO Chowk and HUDA City Centre — have no connectivity to a large part of the city and so is the case with the Gurgaon Rapid Metro. People have to depend on private vehicles for last-mile connectivity. Commuters, especially women, have to compromise on their security to reach their destination.
“It is at least a 25-minute walk from the main road to the Badshahpur Chowk, but it is difficult to walk that far in the scorching heat. I usually take a lift from school buses or hire a cab,” said Sonam Poonia, a resident of Sector 69.
The newly-developed sectors lack basic facilities such as water, electricity, transport and security. “There are no hospitals and shopping centres nearby. When we moved in two years ago, we expected this area to develop in a few months but it never happened,” said Kavita Saini, a resident of GPL Eden Heights.
Another problem is lack of electricity in the area, though the developer is providing a regular supply of electricity in the area, the cost is very high. “We are paying `14 per unit of power. We have no idea when we will be able to get a proper connection,” said Priya Singh of Sector 69.
Residents are also not happy with the security aspect. “We do not let our children play outside the society even during the day. We wait outside the condominium to pick up our kids when they come back from school. We live in constant fear as this area is secluded from the rest of the city,” said Saroj Sharma, another resident.
“Huda has only been able to supply water in sectors 69-71. The area is also suffering from lack of sewage drains and stormwater drains. However, the biggest problem is the condition of roads that needs to be improved by the government. We have been assured that the residents will get access to proper roads by the end of this year,” said Parveen Jain, president of National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). He is also the CMD of Tulip Infratech.
