Gurugram waterlogging: Opposition, residents demand action after monsoon chaos
A day after heavy rainfall inundated several parts of Gurugram and threw traffic out of gear, Opposition leaders and residents have stepped up criticism of the Haryana government and the local administration over the city's recurring waterlogging problem. The deluge, which followed a brief but intense spell of rain, left key roads submerged, stranded school buses, and forced commuters to wade through knee-deep water.
Former MP Brijendra Singh, sharing images of school buses stuck near Subhash Chowk, took aim at Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. He pointed out that Gurugram and Faridabad, despite being among the state's largest cities and highest tax-paying urban centres, continue to grapple with poor infrastructure. "These cities contribute significantly to the state's revenue, yet their basic needs remain neglected," he said in a post on social media.
Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda drew attention to the city's soaring property prices to underscore his point. Noting that an entrepreneur recently bought a penthouse flat in Gurugram for ₹271 crore, Mr. Hooda argued that even a fraction of such investments, if directed towards drainage infrastructure a decade ago, would have prevented the current crisis. "If even 12 years ago a proper budget had been allocated for rainwater drainage, we wouldn't have to feel this ashamed in front of our next generation," he wrote.
Congress leader Sheilza Bhatia, a former president of the Gurugram Rural district women's wing, said the waterlogging was a predictable annual occurrence. "Everyone knows where water accumulates, which roads get blocked, and which areas are worst affected. So why does the same problem arise every year?" she asked. She also questioned the silence of Gurugram's BJP MP Rao Inderjit Singh, saying, "Today, Gurugram is asking you just one question—when the city was drowning, where were you?"
Former Congress MLA Chiranjeev echoed similar sentiments, noting that Mr. Singh had recently spoken publicly about an alleged personal humiliation but had remained quiet during the crisis afflicting residents. "When it came to his own grievance, he was vocal, but he has not commented on the plight of those affected by waterlogging," Mr. Chiranjeev said.
On social media, residents expressed frustration and sarcasm. IT professional Arun Mathuria posted: "Who buys a ₹10 crore flat in Gurugram without even looking at the basic infrastructure? Just 30 minutes of rain and the roads turn into rivers. Gurugram feels like a bubble—propped up by investors and NRIs." Another user, Krishan Jeena, joked, "Gurgaon after 10 minutes of rain: Boat kaha milegi?" (Where can I get a boat?)
Long-time resident Neha, who said she has lived in Gurugram for 17 years, described the experience as a moment of "grief and sheer helplessness" while trying to pick up her child from school. She questioned how a few hours of rain could reduce the "Millennium City" to a "stranded, chaotic nightmare." "Nearly two decades we have paid our taxes, built our lives, and hoped for better, only to be met with the same negligence year after year," she said.
The repeated waterlogging in Gurugram highlights a systemic failure in urban planning and infrastructure maintenance, despite the city's reputation as a corporate hub. As residents demand accountability, the administration has yet to announce any long-term measures to address the root causes. For now, the people of Gurugram are left wondering if next monsoon will bring more of the same.
