The roads are a string of potholes, and with every rain, they turn into thin waterways, where all kind of vehicles can venture into at their own risk — take a deep breath, ease the car into a pond-like pothole, and pray.
Sam Chopra, president of the association of BPOs, said he was planning an international conference in Gurgaon but changed his mind because of the abysmal state of roads, power and — a recent addition — garbage disposal. “Our foreigner guests are shocked to see these roads especially when they are stuck in hour-long jams,” Chopra said, adding, “our businesses are definitely affected — especially the IT and hospitality industry.”
The city considered as the world’s gateway to New India was never supposed to turn so bad. Companies and residents are getting increasingly impatient with the continuing state of neglect.
Most Gurgaon roads are in a state of disrepair. And not for want of funds. The Haryana Urban Development Authority spent about Rs 100 crore at the rate of about Rs 1 crore per km between 2006 and 2008 on repairing, widening and strengthening roads. But none of that shows. The authority has now announced more funds to the tune of Rs 75 crore to be spent over the next six months.
Bad, worse and worst
The worst hit areas included DLF Cybercity, MG Road, major roads in private colonies, HUDA sectors and municipal colonies. And then there are Pataudi Road, Basai Road and Madanpuri — which have shrunk to half their width because of digging for storm water drains. The construction work finished some months ago, but some one forgot to fill up the trenches properly.
Bad, worse and worst
The worst hit areas included DLF Cybercity, MG Road, major roads in private colonies, HUDA sectors and municipal colonies. And then there are Pataudi Road, Basai Road and Madanpuri — which have shrunk to half their width because of digging for storm water drains. The construction work finished some months ago, but some one forgot to fill up the trenches properly.
HUDA Administrator G Anupama admitted that the fault lay with the way construction projects were awarded to a cartel of corrupt contractors. “We are working hard to break the cartel.”
President of the DLF Qutub Enclave residents’ welfare association, RS Rathee, said, “All major busy roads remain broken all through the year despite being constructed every year.”
Vijay Thadani, CEO of NIIT that has its corporate office in institutional area Sector 32, said, “As responsible corporate citizens, we must all work together to make Gurgaon live up to its title of Millennium city.”
Is this about forgotten promises or a dream gone haywire?