The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram commissioner on Saturday conducted a joint ground recce with members of Making Model Gurugram to identify pollution hotspots, review dust mitigation measures and assess long-pending civic issues across the district, amid rising public concern over air pollution and following a New Year’s Eve protest, officials said.
Citizen inputs shaped the route, with activists flagging ongoing construction on SPR despite partial dust removal on Golf Course Extension Road. (HT)
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The inspection was led by Pradeep Dahiya, commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, who also holds charge as additional chief executive officer of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority. Senior officials from both agencies accompanied the team. The recce covered stretches repeatedly flagged by residents, including the Southern Peripheral Road, Vyapar Kendra, Hamilton Court Road and Golf Course Extension Road.
Officials said the focus was on identifying sources of particulate pollution such as uncovered construction and demolition waste, exposed earth at project sites, poorly maintained pavements and unregulated construction activity. On-site directions were issued for the removal of loose soil, covering open surfaces, increasing water sprinkling and stricter monitoring of contractors.
Gauri Sarin, environmental activist and founder of Making Model Gurugram, said the route was finalised based on citizen feedback. “We have placed clear demands before the administration to cover dust at work-in-progress sites, clean pavements even when tenders are delayed, maintain roads after completion, mechanise sweeping, beautify crossings and central verges, remove unsafe temporary dividers and ensure proper road signage,” she said.
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Sarin said around 70% dust had been removed from Golf Course Extension Road in recent weeks, but Southern Peripheral Road continued to remain a major pollution source due to ongoing construction.
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Sarin said around 70% dust had been removed from Golf Course Extension Road in recent weeks, but Southern Peripheral Road continued to remain a major pollution source due to ongoing construction.
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Dahiya said levelling and C&D waste collection were already underway along the GMDA’s Leg 4 drain and SPR. “Where gaps were found, additional directions have been issued to enhance dust mitigation and ensure accountability,” he said.
Officials said follow-up reviews will be conducted to track compliance and fix timelines.
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.
