GMDA told to curb flooding in Sector 107 along Najafgarh drain

Minister orders embankments, pumps after last year’s week-long inundation hit societies; permanent plan sought ahead of monsoon

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has been directed to take steps to prevent recurring waterlogging in Sector 107, located along the Najafgarh drain, following concerns raised over annual flooding during monsoons, officials said.

Directions follow review meet on drains, waste; overflow risk from Najafgarh drain impacts nearby villages during heavy rain (Parveen Kumar/HT)

Haryana urban local bodies minister Vipul Goel issued the directions last month after the issue was highlighted during a high-level meeting in Gurugram, where residents’ complaints of repeated waterlogging were discussed. As per a government communiqué dated March 19, Goel asked GMDA to construct embankments around residential societies in Sector 107 and deploy adequate pumping machinery to drain water during flooding.

The issue was raised during a February 25 review meeting chaired by the minister on drain cleaning, sewer maintenance, and garbage disposal systems in Gurugram and Faridabad. A senior government official, DS Dhesi, principal advisor, Urban Development, Haryana government, flagged flooding in Sector 107 and suggested embankments and immediate pumping arrangements.

Following detailed discussions, the minister directed GMDA to implement these measures and prepare a comprehensive plan for a permanent solution, the official added.

The directions come after severe waterlogging during last year’s monsoon affected M3M Woodshire and Signature Solera societies, where around 1,500 families were stranded for nearly a week. Residents relied on tractor-trolleys for movement, schools were shut, and the district administration deployed pumps to drain water.

Vikram Singh, executive engineer, GMDA, said, “Adequate arrangements will be made prior to the onset of the monsoon season. Pumping machinery will be deployed in the vicinity of these societies, and in the event of water accumulation, the water will be drained out immediately.”

Officials said Sector 107 lies near the Najafgarh drain along the Delhi-Gurugram border, where stormwater from Gurugram flows through major drains, including Leg No. 1, Leg No. 2 and the Badshahpur drain, before merging into the Yamuna. The drain’s capacity is around 10,000 cusecs, and heavy rainfall often leads to overflow, affecting nearby villages such as Dharampur, Budhera, Chandu, Dhankot, Kherki Majra and Basai.

To address broader flooding risks, the Haryana government has also proposed a new drain route from Gurugram to Sohna, Palwal and ultimately the Yamuna.