Concern for Gurugram: Locals decry filth, sewage, civic apathy in Sector 12

Residents alleged irregular waste collection, overflowing sewers and clogged drains, while the civic body promised priority action and floated new sanitation tenders.

Residents of Sector 12, one of Gurugram’s older residential neighbourhoods with around 4,000 people, have raised concerns over multiple civic issues, including an illegal garbage dumping site, poor sanitation, sewage overflow, waterlogging, irregular door-to-door waste collection and illegal encroachments, saying the problems have worsened ahead of the monsoon.

Residents also complained of illegal encroachments narrowing roads and footpaths, saying congestion has affected pedestrian movement and emergency access. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

“There is a massive illegal garbage dumping site outside our homes in Pocket C. With the monsoon approaching, the accumulated waste is likely to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and increase the risk of diseases such as dengue. We are worried about the health and safety of everyone living here,” said Vishal Yadav, a resident of Sector 12.

Residents of Pocket C said the garbage heap outside their homes continues to grow daily while civic authorities clear it only once or twice a month.

“Earlier, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) used to clean the area regularly. But in the past five to six months, workers have stopped coming. They are hardly cleaning our area, resulting in 200 families being exposed to the garbage dump. Our guests are welcomed by pigs and cattle,” Vishal Yadav said.

“While most sectors and residential colonies are identified by prominent landmarks, our identity is this dumping site,” another resident said. “Despite repeated complaints, there has been no permanent solution. The authorities are turning a blind eye and residents continue to suffer.”

Rinky Verma said the foul stench from the dumping site often enters nearby homes. “We are practically living amid filth. With the monsoon setting in, we fear the area will become even more unhygienic and pose a serious health risk,” she said.

Jatin Chachra said garbage is also strewn along the roadside at the sector’s entrance from Mianwali Colony, while waste and dust remain outside the community centre. “There is no regular road sweeping or cleaning, and the condition has only worsened over time,” he said.

Vishal Yadav added that the dumping site emits a foul smell during heavy rainfall, while stagnant water further worsens unhygienic conditions for nearby residents.

An MCG official said the illegal dumping ground would be cleared on priority.

Sewage overflow, waterlogging

Residents said ageing sewer infrastructure has become inadequate for the growing population, resulting in frequent sewage overflow, especially during the monsoon.

Annu Yadav, a resident of Mianwali Colony, said the sewer system requires a complete overhaul. “The sewage infrastructure is outdated and insufficient for the current population. It needs a complete overhaul,” she said.

Following Tuesday’s heavy rainfall, residents reported waterlogging across several colonies, with stagnant water accumulating on internal roads and disrupting movement.

“Despite desilting work, this is the condition of our colony and the city,” Annu Yadav said.

Rinki Rao said recurring waterlogging continues to inconvenience residents every monsoon. “Waterlogging has made it difficult for pedestrians and vehicles to move around. The same story keeps repeating every year on loop. The residents are left to suffer,” she said.

MCG officials said workers and water tankers have been deployed to drain accumulated water from affected areas, particularly low-lying stretches, and restore normal conditions.

Ravinder Yadav, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), said five-year tenders for road sweeping have been floated with ward-wise manpower requirements to improve sanitation. He added that a separate six-month tender has also been floated to ensure sanitation services continue until the long-term contract is finalised.

Garbage collection, encroachments

Locals said an illegal dumping site near Pocket C has remained uncleared for months, attracting pigs and cattle and raising fears of mosquito-borne diseases. (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Residents also complained of irregular door-to-door waste collection, particularly in Jacubpura and Mianwali Colony, forcing several households to hire private waste collectors or dispose of garbage themselves.

Chachra said door-to-door collection remains highly irregular. Vishal Yadav said residents of Pocket C have to pay private vendors to collect household waste because municipal collection is untimely.

MCG officials said a ₹1 lakh penalty has been imposed on sanitation agency Classic Manpower and Construction Services for alleged deficiencies in door-to-door garbage collection. Officials said the agency failed to deploy 43 vehicles along with helpers and drivers in wards 12, 13, 27, 31 and 35, and a notice has been issued seeking an explanation.

MCG Joint Commissioner Preetpal Singh said negligence in sanitation services would not be tolerated. “We have directed the agency to immediately deploy the required number of manpower and vehicles in all the wards. We have even asked for a vehicle deployment plan, GPS details and attendance records of the workers from the contractor,” he said.

Residents also flagged widespread illegal encroachments around Singha Chowk and the stretch leading to Railway Road, alleging that shops, roadside stalls and unauthorised extensions have occupied roads and footpaths, causing congestion and obstructing pedestrians.

“The problem is also visible in nearby market areas, where temporary structures, roadside stalls and unauthorised extensions have narrowed lanes and obstructed pedestrian pathways,” said JD Sharma, RWA president of Sector 12. Residents said the encroachments create traffic bottlenecks and hinder emergency movement.

Sunita Rani, ward councillor, did not respond to calls from HT.