An amusement park ride in Gurugram. (HT Archive/Representative photo)
Deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar said he will constitute teams to check unauthorised operations of recreational and commercial spaces, especially ahatas and amusement parks, which were highlighted by the Public Works Department (PWD) in a letter dated April 1.
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The PWD raised concerns about mushrooming amusement parks on Gurugram’s outskirts, which were skirting the law and mandatory compliances to operate machinery. “NOC from Mechanical Division of PWD B&R Gurugram is necessary for running them, but no such NOC has been granted by PWD,” PWD said in the letter.
DC Kumar assured teams will conduct inspections and take appropriate action against any violations.
“All such parks will be inspected with respect to mandatory NOCs, and if any facility is found operating without the required approvals, strict action will be initiated against them. We will form dedicated teams to inspect these amusement parks and other recreational facilities. If any of these are found to be operating without the requisite NOCs, appropriate action will be taken against the violators,” he said.
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The PWD letter comes against the backdrop of growing concern over unauthorised recreational spaces across Gurugram’s urban and semi-urban pockets, which host thousands of visitors, particularly on weekends and holidays.
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The PWD letter comes against the backdrop of growing concern over unauthorised recreational spaces across Gurugram’s urban and semi-urban pockets, which host thousands of visitors, particularly on weekends and holidays.
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Supreme Court Lawyer Rajeev Yadav, who also lodged multiple complaints regarding fatal accidents and injury in amusement parks, liquor taverns, water parks, fun fairs and trampoline parks, said uninspected machines were “death traps running illegally and must immediately be demolished”.
“Strict action must also be taken against erring officials and a huge tragedy is waiting to take place,” he said.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
