Gurugram begins revival of rainwater systems, to add 130 new units

Tenders floated for modular units worth ₹15 crore, with focus on dense areas like Cyber City where recharge is limited.

Published on: Mar 31, 2026, 07:05:20 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Days after announcing a plan to revive and expand rainwater harvesting infrastructure amid sharp groundwater decline, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has initiated work to restore defunct systems and install 130 new modular units, officials said.

The project aims to improve groundwater recharge in areas impacted by rapid urbanisation and construction. (HT Archive)

Last week, citing data from the Central Ground Water Board, officials had said Gurugram’s groundwater level has fallen from 7.57 metres in 1974 to below 30 metres, placing the city in the “dark zone” category and affecting the summer supply.

In the latest update, officials said 404 existing rainwater harvesting systems are being repaired and upgraded, while tenders have been floated for 130 new modular systems at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore. The project will focus on Cyber City and other dense urban areas where construction has reduced natural recharge.

Executive engineer Sandeep Dhundwal said, “Old rainwater harvesting systems will be revived to facilitate groundwater recharge. The tendering process for installing 130 new modular systems has also been initiated.”

Officials added that more than 80 systems had become completely defunct due to poor maintenance and falling groundwater levels. As part of the revamp, deeper borewells will be created to reconnect systems to the groundwater table.

Authorities also flagged continued illegal groundwater extraction through borewells and unauthorised RO plants as key contributors to depletion. Operation and maintenance will be handled by private agencies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
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.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.