As Gurugram continues to battle severe waterlogging every monsoon, urban planners and environmental experts are calling for a fundamental shift in approach — from diverting rainwater to absorbing it naturally. The city’s rapid urbanization, paved surfaces, and inadequate drainage systems have made traditional stormwater diversion methods increasingly ineffective.

Experts argue that instead of constructing more drains to push water away, Gurugram should embrace rainwater harvesting and natural absorption techniques to allow the city to act like a sponge. This includes developing permeable pavements, green corridors, bio-swales, rain gardens, and recharge pits to restore groundwater and reduce surface runoff.

The “absorb, not divert” model emphasizes resilience and sustainability. By integrating blue-green infrastructure into urban design, Gurugram can mitigate flash floods, enhance water security, and reduce the strain on its existing drainage network.

Urban development authorities are now being urged to prioritize ecological planning over concrete-heavy construction. With climate change intensifying rainfall patterns, experts warn that without systemic reform, the city’s flooding crisis will worsen.

Reimagining Gurugram’s water management isn’t just an infrastructure challenge — it’s an opportunity to transform the city into a sustainable, climate-resilient urban model for the rest of India.