Rain exposes civic gaps: Civil hospital, govt schools flooded again

As monsoon rains brought the city to a standstill, Gurugram civil hospital in Sector 10 once again saw its basement flooded with rainwater and sewage, a problem that hospital officials said has recurred every monsoon for the past decade

As monsoon rains brought the city to a standstill, Gurugram civil hospital in Sector 10 once again saw its basement flooded with rainwater and sewage, a problem that hospital officials said has recurred every monsoon for the past decade.

Meanwhile, a few government schools were also impacted due to waterlogging and leakage. (HT)

Hospital staff said floodwater had entered the basement general ward and the electrical panel, raising safety concerns and disrupting operations.

Patients admitted in the basement were shifted to other wards to ensure their treatment was not affected.

Health department officials said they have repeatedly written to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), with the latest letter on Thursday.

Dr Lokveer Singh, civil surgeon, Gurugram, said, “We have been flagging this issue with the PWD and the MCG for a long time.”

Dr Neena, primary medical officer, told HT that the hospital first wrote to the civic authorities on June 16 and has been following up since then. “Despite repeated reminders, no action has been taken yet,” she said.

According to the district health department, the work included repairing walls and roofs, reconstruction of damaged boundary walls, development of shaded parking, installation of interlocking tiles, creation of two parks and waterproofing the building. The department has also sought an additional ₹3.92 crore for further renovation work and installation of solar panels over the new parking area.

Officials said the hospital’s low-lying area further complicates the problem and it connects to a sewer line running behind the premises.

A MCG official said desilting work has been completed. “We have not received any such complaints. We will send our team for inspection,” he added.

An executive engineer at PWD, told HT that in the ₹10 crore work undertaken by the PWD, no specific work was done in the basement. “We have called a consultant and a meeting is scheduled for Friday. We have acknowledged the matter and will take action,” he said.

Meanwhile, a few government schools were also impacted due to waterlogging and leakage.

The premises of Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS) in Budhera, Dhankot, remained waterlogged after heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday. Teachers and staff said the accumulated water persisted even on Thursday, despite little to no rainfall.

A teacher, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the school has only five rooms for Classes 6 to 12 and the building needs urgent repairs, noting the premises were waterlogged with no proper drainage system.

“There are leakages from the walls, making it difficult for students to attend classes. The building needs urgent fixes and repairs. This is the situation of Haryana’s CM Excellence and Early English (CM EEE) schools,” she added.

Meanwhile, another government school in Begumpur Khatola saw waterlogging in its premises after heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sumita Rangi, district elementary education officer (DEEO) did not respond to HT’s calls or messages.