Human rights panel orders citywide audit of Gurugram’s drains

The Haryana Human Rights Commission has ordered a technical audit of Gurugram’s storm-water drainage system, directing agencies to move beyond desilting and temporary pumping towards a citywide revamp plan.

The order follows the August 24 rain spell, when district authorities recorded about 75 mm of rainfall and waterlogging was reported at Subhash Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Narsinghpur, Iffco Chowk, Sohna Road, Sheetla Mata Road, the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and parts of Old Gurugram. School buses were stranded for hours, while ambulances and other emergency vehicles faced disruption.

The commission directed GMDA to coordinate with the district administration, MCG, HSVP, PWD, PHED, irrigation, power and town-planning departments. The audit must assess drain capacity, natural channels, ponds, low-lying land and 99 identified flooding points. Agencies must also prepare a GIS map of natural and engineered drainage routes and identify obstructions or encroachments.

The commission has sought emergency corridors for ambulances, fire services and police during extreme rain, along with a review of school-bus tracking, parent communication and evacuation arrangements.

GMDA, MCG and the other agencies must file a joint compliance report before the commission’s December 15 hearing.