Residents and resident welfare associations (RWAs) have submitted a detailed citizen-led roadmap to civic authorities, seeking stronger, time-bound action against Gurugram’s worsening air pollution. The document outlines standard operating procedures (SOPs) to tackle dust hotspots, improve road cleanliness, and fix accountability across multiple agencies.
Roadmap calls for fixed daily, weekly and monthly actions, stricter checks at construction sites and public monitoring of cleanliness measures. (HT Archive)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Prepared with inputs from Making Model Gurugram, it calls for “minimum, non-negotiable standards” to control dust, including covering construction material, removing loose soil from road edges, ensuring regular mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling, and keeping footpaths clear. It stresses clear responsibility mapping for road maintenance, sanitation, green belts and drains, plus routine monitoring and public reporting.
Gauri Sarin, founder of Making Model Gurugram, said, “We see the same problem coming back again and again because there is no fixed protocol on what must be done daily, weekly and monthly. These SOPs are meant to ensure consistent action on the ground, not just seasonal enforcement when pollution peaks.”
Officials said the citizen-led SOPs would help streamline enforcement. “We have requested residents to share detailed SOPs so that action on dust hotspots can be taken swiftly and in a structured manner. We are also planning a joint meeting with RWAs and citizen groups,” said Faisal Ibrahim, head of Infra-I and superintending engineer (Infra-II) at the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
GMDA will lead implementation and monitoring, officials said.The SOPs are currently under consideration and discussions are ongoing on whether they will be formally notified or remain advisory.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
GMDA will lead implementation and monitoring, officials said.The SOPs are currently under consideration and discussions are ongoing on whether they will be formally notified or remain advisory.
{{/usCountry}}
The roadmap also highlights stricter checks at construction sites, improved handling of construction and demolition waste, and immediate removal of dumped roadside material. Environmentalist Vaishali Rana said, “The dust we breathe every day is not an unavoidable problem. It is a result of poor housekeeping and weak enforcement.”
Officials added a follow-up discussion with citizen groups will be held to review priority stretches and coordinate implementation.
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.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.
