Gurgaon: Green areas along seven arterial roads will be developed as rainwater absorption zones to help reduce waterlogging during heavy rains. GMDA has started preparing some of these green belts, where debris has been removed and road surfaces have been lowered to create a gradient for rainwater to flow towards the green areas, officials said.Under the Rs 8.5-crore project, landscaping and regular maintenance of the green areas will be done.Tenders have been floated. Once the work is allotted, the selected agencies will be responsible for maintaining the green belts for a period of three years. Officials said landscaping will likely be completed in six months .The green belts will be upgraded along the master roads between sectors 47/49, 47/50, 43/53, 43/52A, 44/52, 45/52 and 46/51. This comes amid recurring waterlogging on several city roads during the monsoon and is aimed at diverting rainwater from carriageways. Instead of allowing water to accumulate on carriageways or relying entirely on stormwater drains for disposal, the authority plans to use the green spaces to temporarily hold and absorb runoff.Officials said the green belts will also contribute to groundwater recharge. Rainwater collected in the areas will be allowed to be absorbed into the ground, helping replenish groundwater while reducing the volume of water that needs to be carried through the stormwater drainage network. “Green areas along these roads are being developed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. The aim is to improve the green cover while also using these spaces for effective rainwater management and groundwater recharge,” GMDA CEO PC Meena said.“The authority has been working on desilting drains and improving water drainage systems. This is further expected to provide an additional mechanism for managing surface runoff during intense rainfall, particularly by reducing the flow of water directly onto road surfaces,” the official said.
