Gurugram, or the Millennium City as it often called, may soon become “a living hell” if it doesn’t address the challenges rapid urbanisation has thrown up.

The fast depleting groundwater table, high levels of pollution, rising demand for electricity, growing dependence on personal vehicles, poor waste management and enormous pressure on forests are among the issues confronting Gurugram, said a document jointly prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Gurgaon First.

The document looks to assess the problems the city faces and offers solutions for a sustainable future.

Titled ‘Gurugram: a framework for sustainable development’, the document was released by Union Minister of State for Urban Development Rao Inderjit Singh at the Gurugram Environment Conclave on Thursday as a build-up to the World Environment Day on June 5. It was attended by as many as 150 delegates including sustainability and environment experts, architects, RWA officials, NGO heads, and representatives from schools.

Population boom

According to the document, exploding urbanisation had led to a five-time increase in the population of Gurugram since 2001. The city, in fact, has registered the third largest increase in per capita income in India after Chandigarh and Mumbai. Almost 45% of Haryana’s revenue comes from Gurugram through State taxes.

This unprecedented growth, however, made enormous demands on resources including water, energy, land, mobility and biodiversity, besides generating mountains of waste. If not addressed soon, the document warned, Gurugram can turn into a living hell.

The document added that as per the Central Ground Water Board’s warning, only rocks would be left once the water table touches 200 metres below ground level. As remedial measures, it has suggested decentralised treatment of waste water for reuse and recycling.

Not just this, the document has also identified key pollutants, which include diesel vehicles and generators, besides emphasising the need for mapping out exposure levels and local pollution sources.

On the energy front, the document has suggested that more and more renewable energy be used by turning to rooftop solar power in residential, commercial and institutional buildings. It said that there was an enormous potential to recycle waste since half of the municipal waste is biodegradable. It has also stressed the need for mandatory decentralised segregation and collection in all residential colonies and institutions, with composting sites at the colony and ward levels.

‘Sustainability is priority’

Most of the document’s recommendations and action agenda is based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Union government is committed to meeting the goals by 2030, while State governments are expected to translate these goals on the ground. The goals relate to ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change and protecting forests. The SDGs for sustainable cities relate to urban planning, design, clean air, water and soil; affordable and accessible transport; climate mitigation and building resilience and integrating the needs of the poor.

Speaking on the occasion, Rao Inderjit Singh said that sustainability and environment need to be given priority in Gurugram. “The Punjab Land Preservation Act mandates that trees in southern Haryana can’t be cut. This Act should be allowed to continue,” he said, assuring the gathering that a high-level task force would be created to protect the environment in the city.

AnumitaRoychowdhury, executive director-research and advocacy at CSE, said that the framework and action agenda, based on consultations with local stakeholders, was an opportunity to ensure Gurugram grew without compromising on liveability. This joint initiative, which has taken shape under the aegis of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, is expected to act as a guide for all future development in Gurugram, Ms. Roychowdhury added.