• Source:JND
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Rains Of Gurugram: Gurugram, known as a prominent corporate center in northern India, is grappling with a persistent issue of waterlogging that leaves both locals and daily commuters exasperated. Each time there’s heavy rainfall, the city comes to a standstill. Last week, visuals of massive traffic snarls gained traction online, with some travelers claiming they were stuck for more than six hours. Even upscale localities with luxury apartments worth crores were left waterlogged.

On September 1, 2025, heavy rainfall caused widespread waterlogging and massive traffic jams, including a 7-km-long snarl on NH-48. Roads were submerged, basements flooded, and schools, colleges, and offices were forced to shut.

Over 1,200 families in Gurgaon’s Signature Global Solera society endured a 51-hour power outage, leaving them stranded without electricity, internet, or access to basic necessities. Waterlogged streets further isolated residents, disrupting work, education, and daily life. 

Marketed as secure enclaves with world-class infrastructure, Gurugram’s upscale gated communities are now grappling with knee-deep water, power outages, and transportation breakdowns prompting residents to question what they are truly paying for.

Residents claim the situation reoccurs every monsoon, blaming poor drainage systems and unplanned construction. To better understand the lived reality, The Daily Jagran spoke to the residents as well as real estate developers about the flood-like conditions in Gurugram.

Rains Of Gurugram: Residents Speak Out

Amit Shankar, author, poet, and founder of House of Lions, shared his struggles despite living in one of the city’s most posh societies, Wellington Estate, DLF Phase 5. "Commuting in Gurugram is a nightmare. Travel time to work went from 20 minutes to 120 minutes," he said.

When asked whether there was any warning or support from the builder or society management before the flooding began, he replied with a firm "No." Amit stressed on the need for "real and scalable" drainage and waste management system. "We also need better roads and a proactive administration that prepares for the monsoon in advance," he said

Anant Bhat, a piping engineer residing in Sector 24, also shared his frustrations: "A simple 400-meter walk from my house in U-Block to my office at Infinity Tower which usually takes 8 minutes took over 40 minutes due to waterlogging everywhere." He also expressed concerns over safety amid rowdy driving on waterlogged roads. "We need improved drainage and sloped roads like in Noida, where water can actually flow out," he said.

Talking about high maintenance fees and real estate premiums, he said, "Nothing is justified. From rent to maintenance, you’re paying top dollar to live in a slum under the illusion that it’s a palace."

“I commute from Noida to Gurugram five days a week, spending around 4-5 hours daily on travel. The level of waterlogging and chaos on roads, even in a corporate hub, is shocking. The Metro conditions are no better,” said Sattayavan Kaushik Content Marketing Executive at MakeMyTrip.

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Builder's Perspective: Are Aesthetics Prioritised Over Infrastructure?

To get real insights into whether high-end builders are compromising infrastructure for aesthetics, I spoke to Bhaskar Gandhi, Director of Sales & Marketing at Rhomes, a luxury residential project of Real Estate developers across Delhi-NCR.

Responding to concerns about flooding, power cuts, and transport chaos in luxury housing, he said that as builders, they now aim for "robust systems, proactive maintenance, and quick on-ground support whenever such situations arise".

The idea of luxury has evolved to now include a resilient infrastructure, said Gandhi. The new structures must include proper drainage, emergency power systems, disaster preparedness, and even integrated healthcare services like on-site medical support and ambulances.

Gandhi emphasised that they now strive to follow international benchmarks while building the drainage and water disposal systems. "These include underground pipelines, rainwater harvesting, and recharge pits that improve water management. While no system is entirely immune to unprecedented climate patterns, our designs aim to mitigate maximum risk," he said.

Talking about what needs to change at the policy and industry level to make luxury housing more climate-resilient, he pointed out the need for stricter regulations, mandatory hydrology checks, and better coordination between developers, urban planners, and civic authorities to truly future-proof these homes.
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Conclusion: Luxury or Liability? 

For many in Gurugram, luxury no longer means comfort. Although some builders are taking steps to address these challenges, the lack of consistent infrastructure, poor drainage, and reactive governance have left residents in both fear and frustration. 

The floodwaters have receded for now but the message is clear: unless Gurugram's development catches up with its ambition, the line between luxury and liability will only continue to blur.