MCG carries out anti-encroachment drive in Sushant Lok, clears roads
MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said that the civic body will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against encroachments that disrupt public movement and hinder civic infrastructure
Gurugram: The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) conducted a large-scale anti-encroachment drive in Sushant Lok on Friday, removing temporary structures, roadside sheds, and illegally placed stalls that were obstructing footpaths and roads. The drive, carried out by the corporation’s street vending enforcement team, was in response to repeated complaints from residents regarding traffic congestion and illegal structures, officials said.
The MCG’s enforcement team has warned vendors and other encroachers to refrain from reoccupying the cleared spaces, or they will face legal consequences, including heavy penalties and permanent confiscation of goods. (HT FILE PHOTO)
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According to MCG officials, the anti-encroachment drive focused on illegal vendors, makeshift tin sheds, and roadside kiosks that had encroached upon public spaces. Several temporary structures were dismantled, and goods belonging to encroachers were seized during the operation. The enforcement team acted swiftly to restore order and improve access to public thoroughfares in the locality, which is one of the city’s prominent residential and commercial zones.
MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said that the civic body will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against encroachments that disrupt public movement and hinder civic infrastructure. “Encroachments on roads, footpaths, and green belts is not just illegal but a public safety concern. We will continue such drives regularly, and strict action will be taken against repeat offenders,” he said. Dahiya also urged the public to cooperate with the civic body’s initiatives.
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Officials added that the aim of the operation is to ensure smooth vehicular and pedestrian movement in key parts of the city. Encroachments in Sushant Lok had led to the narrowing of roads and footpaths, forcing commuters to walk on roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
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Officials added that the aim of the operation is to ensure smooth vehicular and pedestrian movement in key parts of the city. Encroachments in Sushant Lok had led to the narrowing of roads and footpaths, forcing commuters to walk on roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
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The MCG’s enforcement team has warned vendors and other encroachers to refrain from reoccupying the cleared spaces, or they will face legal consequences, including heavy penalties and permanent confiscation of goods.
Residents have welcomed the move and expressed hope that the cleared areas will now remain encroachment-free, enhancing both safety and urban aesthetics. Civic officials said that similar anti-encroachment drives will soon be conducted in other encroachment-prone areas across Gurugram to improve public convenience and city planning.
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.
