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Agencies pass buck as drain raises a stink
An open drain in the heart of the city, near Richmond Park and Garden Villa in DLF Phase-4, is posing a serious health hazard to residents. Dhananjay Jha reports.
An open drain in the heart of the city, near Richmond Park and Garden Villa in DLF Phase-4, is posing a serious health hazard to residents.
Reeking of muck and filth, the pool of stagnant water has become a garbage dumping site, including construction waste, raising serious ecological concerns. It used to be a natural drain flowing from Ghata village (in Aravalli hills) towards NH-8 along the forest bund.
A portion of 500 metres of the drain has got landlocked between two culverts — one at Sector 27 and other at the entry gate of Excelsior American School — blocking the flow of water.
Residents say several animals too have died after consuming polythene bags. “Pigs died in the drain recently and the entire area was stinking for days. Birds and other animals also get trapped in the muck,” said Praful Khandelwal, a resident of Richmond Park.
While residents battle strong stench, authorities are passing the buck. They say numerous efforts to get the drain cleared have gone futile.
When HT approached civic agencies Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) and Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) and the forest department, all departments washed their hands off.
The MCG seems clueless as it is not clear under whose jurisdiction the land falls.
It is the MCG’s responsibility to take suo motu cognizance and issue a notice to the government agency concerned.
“We have the authority to issue a notice but let me first visit the site first on Friday,” said Dr Aruna Sangwan, sanitation incharge, MCG.
“The drain probably is not entirely on forest land but we will ascertain this after surveying the area in the next few days,” said a forest official on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Huda officials shifted responsibility on MCG stating that the municipal body can issue a notice in case of a health hazard.
