GURGAON: The Haryana government plans to install 100 rainwater-recharge structures in Gurgaon before next monsoon to tackle waterlogging, with a target of pushing 25-30 crore litres of rainwater into the ground.Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the measures on Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The plan also includes check dams in the Aravallis, camera-based monitoring of drain desilting and a survey to identify a long-term route for diverting excess water from Gurgaon’s low-lying areas towards the Yamuna through Nuh.A Japanese company, Nippon Koei, is conducting the survey, Saini said. The proposed system will carry excess water away from vulnerable low-lying areas instead of allowing it to accumulate on roads and in neighbourhoods.The government is also working with IIT Delhi on a rainwater-harvesting programme. Around 100 structures will be installed before the 2027 monsoon, with a combined capacity to recharge 25-30 crore litres of rainwater into the groundwater.The measures come after Gurgaon witnessed severe waterlogging during intense rainfall on Aug 24, when several roads and residential areas were inundated. Saini said the city received around 230mm of rain between Aug 6 and 8 and witnessed another spell of intense rainfall on Aug 24.The government said water-harvesting wells have already been installed at most of the 99 identified waterlogging points. These have collectively recharged around 13,000 metric tonnes of rainwater, according to officials.The administration has also undertaken camera-monitored desilting of drains, work on the drain near Hero Honda Chowk, cleaning of the Lag-1, Lag-2 and Lag-3 drains after removal of encroachments and revival of Lag-4.“Check dams are also being built along the Aravalli foothills to slow down water flowing towards the city,” Saini said.The government said 74 old ponds and water bodies have also been restored or reorganised as part of efforts to improve rainwater absorption and drainage.Saini said the measures would lead to a “major improvement” in Gurgaon’s waterlogging situation by next monsoon.
