As the cities of Delhi and Gurgaon face severe waterlogging problems amid heavy rains, the streets of Noida seem to be untouched by the heavy downpour.
The national capital broke a 41-year-old record as the city received 150 mm of rain in the last few days. People living in Delhi and Gurgaon took to twitter to express their grievances over the waterlogging issue, while those living in Noida or commuting to their workplaces in Noida were highly impressed with the city’s civic infrastructure. In addition, people on social media have started a debate on Noida vs. Delhi and Gurgaon, as they present a striking contrast when it comes to dealing with heavy rainfall.
Noida boasts an extensive network of 87 kilometres of large storm drains, ensuring a well-planned drainage system. Noida’s meticulous planning and strict criteria for land acquisition make it an ideal residential hotspot in the NCR. Before acquiring a plot, an individual or a developer has to fulfil certain requirements. These include the presence of road infrastructure, access to electricity, and a well-established sewerage system. All these factors put Noida ahead of Gurgaon in terms of infrastructure planning and preparedness.
On the contrary, the geographical presence of the Aravalli range plays a significant role in aggravating Gurugram’s drainage problems. Rainwater flowing down the slopes of the mountains directly floods the city, overwhelming its already overburdened drainage system. Gurugram also faces the burden of three overburdened drains. One, near Ambience Mall, is directly connected to the Najafgarh drain. The second drain carries water from DLF 1, 2 and 3, Sushant Lok-1, MG Road, and surrounding areas and passes through Iffco Chowk before joining the Najafgarh drain.
