Gurgaon to become living hell: CSE

Gurgaon: The Millennium City may turn into a “living hell” if steps are not taken to make its growth model more sustainable, as “explosive urbanisation” is stretching the NCR town’s resources to the limit, the CSE has said.

The observation is part of a report on challenges staring at Gurgaon and possible solutions prepared by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Gurgaon First — under the aegis of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram.

“This kind of unprecedented growth has made enormous demands on resources including water, energy, land, mobility and biodiversity, and is generating mountains of waste. If not addressed at the early stages of growth, this can turn Gurgaon into a living hell,” the report says.

The document, titled “Gurugram: A framework for sustainable development”, notes that rapid urbanisation has led to a five-time increase in population of Gurgaon since 2001.

In terms of water, the gap between demand and supply may jump from 34 per cent to 57 per cent in the years to come, it said, adding that due to unchecked use of groundwater, water table of the city is falling at a rate of 1-3 metres every year.

The framework document bases much of its recommendations and action agenda on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which India has committed to meet, relating to improving health and education, making cities sustainable, combating climate change and protecting forests.