Sewage Crisis in Sushant Lok 1: Residents Demand Urgent Action Amid Health Risks

For over a week, residents of Sushant Lok 1 in Gurgaon have been grappling with a severe sewage crisis that has left roads inundated with overflowing waste and their potable water supply tainted with contamination. The situation, which has increasingly escalated over the past ten days, has forced locals to rely on water tankers for their daily needs as greyish, foul-smelling water streams from their taps. The root of the problem can be traced back to the expired contract for the operation and maintenance of the sewer system, which lapsed on November 15. The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has come under fire for failing to make alternative arrangements, leaving a critical gap in infrastructure management that has resulted in widespread discontent among residents. Many are alarmed that the untreated sewage is now mixing with their drinking water, leading to serious health concerns. Jay Shankar Yadav, a resident of the area, expressed his frustration, stating, "The sewer that has been overflowing near Lily Park for 10 days is yet to be fixed. The stench is unbearable, and now this sewage is mixing with our water supply. We have no option but to use water tankers for our daily needs." His sentiments reflect the growing disillusionment of the community as they face the dual threat of health hazards and unsanitary living conditions. Spanning over 700 acres, Sushant Lok 1 was brought under MCG's management in 2019, yet residents argue that little has been done to address the area’s deteriorating infrastructure. The sewer system, originally installed more than 30 years ago, is ill-equipped to handle the pressures of increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and rampant construction violations that have plagued the locality. In a bid to address the ongoing issues, MCG had allocated Rs 30.7 lakh last September for the cleaning of the sewer lines using bucket machines. However, residents allege that the contractor completed only a fraction of the work, with Deepak Verma, the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) president, asserting, "No resolution was provided despite repeated complaints. Hardly 20% of the cleaning was done by the contractor, and there was no monitoring from MCG. We raised the matter with senior officials, but they ignored our concerns. It is not just an eyesore but also a severe health hazard." In response to the crisis, MCG's chief engineer, Manoj Yadav, assured residents that efforts would be made to resolve the issue. "The lack of a contracting agency is not an issue; when required, we deploy resources from other areas to minimize inconvenience to residents," he stated. However, residents remain skeptical, calling for immediate and decisive action to restore their living conditions and ensure a safe water supply. As the situation continues to unfold, the residents of Sushant Lok 1 find themselves at the mercy of the local government's responsiveness—or lack thereof. With health risks mounting and basic services compromised, the ongoing sewage crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure management in Gurgaon.