The map with this column shows natural drainage channels in the Gurugram region based on the 1971 Survey of India Map. There were hundreds of waterbodies linked to a continuous, overlapping series of bundhs, called the ‘Badshahi Bunds’, which were indigenous engineering structures.
By storing water during monsoon, these not only prevented flooding but also recharged groundwater in this semi-arid region. Our ancestors understood this. For example, records clearly indicate that during the monsoon, Ghata lake occupied an area of more than 4 sqkm with water depth of up to 20 feet. According to records that are available, 118 bunds — large and small – existed in the Gurugram-Faridabad region. Most are forgotten names now.
Modern city planning did not adequately understand or take into consideration the need to preserve and maintain natural drainage lines and lakes. We built our roads and city over these natural drainage lines rather than around them. Some of the roads are in fact built right over the drainage lines and that is why they get flooded within a few minutes of rain. Just 1sqkm of a typical city area generate more than 50,000 cubic metres of water if there is 100mm rainfall.
I have lived in Gurugram, on and off, for more than two decades. My children were born in the city and grew up here. This city is my home and I am as committed to its future as anybody else. It is more than certain that every 3-5 years there will be days when it will rain more than 100 mm in a few hours. Such events would become more and more common in future due to climate change.
There needs to be a serious attempt to ensure that rainwater harvesting becomes essential not only for individual houses and housing societies but also for all development projects. We have to stop seeing rainwater as a menace and recognize it as a precious resource. The work done by Singapore in this regard is a model – today, nearly 65 % of all rainwater in the city is drained into a network of nearly 30 waterbodies built by the city. There is a complete separation of stormwater and sewer channels, and by 2035, they would be harvesting nearly 90% of rainwater. This enhances not only their water security but also makes perfect economic sense. We need to do the same.
There is a need to think of genuinely sustainable city design. Every sector/subcity of Gurugram must have a hydrological management plan and ensure most of the rainwater is conserved. We need to eco-restore whichever of the ‘Badshahi Bunds’ are still intact on the lines of the Wazirabad-Chakkarpur eco-restoration project.
An exercise to identify waterbodies in Gurugram has already been completed by GMDA. Eco-restoring such waterbodies and their catchments requires a massive exercise. We need to involve RWAs, local communities, corporates and school children so that such areas are adopted and revived. In my experience, the best results have been achieved when the government, corporates and citizens’ groups have worked hand in hand.
Building more and more roads has not really helped us to the extent we thought. We need to stop thinking in terms of mega-projects only. We need to build less and conserve more. We need to conserve green belts and stop viewing it as surplus land for opening petrol pumps, gas stations, liquor vends, etc. Each green belt is a potential water recharge site. However, all this requires a paradigm shift in the way we operate.
A lot has been lost, but a lot can still be saved. The future of my city depends on it.
(Views expressed by the writer are personal)
In Video:Boats deployed as Gurugram roads get flooded after rains
