Gurugram: India's 'Millennium City' or a 'Shame'?
Gurugram, often hailed as India's 'Millennium City' and a symbol of modern India, has recently come under fire for its struggling infrastructure. Businessman and columnist Suhel Seth didn't mince words, calling the city "a shame on this country" during a recent public discussion.
Seth's criticism was sharp and direct. He painted a picture of a city that turns into a "Venice" (meaning, it floods badly) every monsoon, with streets littered with garbage. He even quipped that Gurugram seems to have "more liquor shops than working traffic lights" and "more bars than schools." According to Seth, this isn't just an inconvenience; it's a clear sign of "administrative failure" and "unsmart leaders," including an "inept Chief Minister" and an "absent" municipal commissioner.
Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, also on the panel, backed this up, highlighting that Gurugram pays more taxes to Haryana than all other cities combined. If such a financially significant city can't maintain basic services, it's a serious governance issue.
The consequences of this poor infrastructure are real and tragic. Just this month, a short, intense two-hour rain spell led to at least eight deaths in Gurugram due to electrocution, drowning, and road accidents. Roads were submerged, drains overflowed, and traffic ground to a halt, leaving residents questioning how a "Millennium City" could be so easily crippled.
However, there's a glimmer of hope. Suhel Seth later shared on social media that he received calls from authorities, assuring him that the Haryana Chief Minister is aware of the issues and "action has begun and a change will be seen soonest."
But is Gurugram truly a lost cause? Not according to some experts. Ankit Chadha, a real estate director, argues that the city is actually "booming." He points out that many people are moving from Delhi to Gurugram, making it one of India's fastest-growing urban hubs. Major global developers are investing, and there's even talk of a Disney Land project coming up nearby. Chadha believes Gurugram is positioning itself to become India's next Tier-1 city, potentially rivaling Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, online, citizens are vocal. Many express frustration, while others have a resigned attitude, saying, "Arey Gurgaon hai yaar, hota hai" (It's Gurgaon, this happens). They lament paying "crores" for homes that come with a "free swimming pool in your parking every June July" due to poor sewage.
So, what's the real story of Gurugram? Is it a city on the brink of collapse or a booming metropolis with temporary growing pains? Perhaps it's both – a city with immense potential, desperately needing its infrastructure and governance to catch up with its ambition.
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