The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has removed over 100 illegal shanties encroaching on a green belt in Sector-31 after a 15-year struggle. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to restore urban green spaces and reduce environmental degradation.
Introduction
For nearly 15 years, Gurugram’s Sector-31 green belt has been at the centre of an urban tug-of-war between development authorities and encroachers. Once designed as a protective green buffer for the city, the stretch gradually transformed into a cluster of unauthorized shanties and makeshift stalls. Now, in a decisive move, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has finally reclaimed the land, demolishing more than 100 structures in a large-scale anti-encroachment drive.
Officials say the action signals the city’s seriousness in protecting ecological spaces, especially as Gurugram grapples with deteriorating air quality, shrinking greenery, and surging population density.
The Drive: What Happened
On Wednesday morning, GMDA officials, supported by municipal staff and local police, carried out a demolition drive across nearly three acres of green belt land in Sector-31, along the busy NH-48 and Jharsa Road corridor.
- Over 100 illegal shanties and makeshift shops were razed.
- Heavy machinery, including bulldozers and earthmovers, was deployed.
- Informal settlers were given advance notices, though some resisted during the eviction.
- Debris removal began immediately, with GMDA confirming plans to landscape and fence the area to prevent future encroachments.
A senior GMDA officer told Sarhind Times:
“We had given repeated warnings and notices over the years. This land is designated as a green belt, and encroachment here was causing serious sanitation and environmental issues. Restoring it was non-negotiable.”
Why Sector-31?
The reclaimed land sits in a prime junction of Gurugram:
- Proximity to NH-48, one of the busiest highways in India.
- Commercial and residential density in nearby Sector-31 market and housing societies.
- Repeated complaints of waste dumping, sewage leaks, and illegal vendor activity.
For years, the encroached stretch had become a hub of informal housing and unregulated vendors, with narrow lanes clogged by carts, garbage, and wastewater.
The Haryana Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) had repeatedly flagged the area for contributing to localized pollution spikes.
Environmental Concerns
Authorities cited three main environmental risks from the encroachments:
- Loss of green cover: Trees and grass were cleared by settlers to make space for huts.
- Sanitation hazards: Open defecation, uncollected garbage, and wastewater dumping created unhygienic conditions.
- Air quality risks: Unregulated cooking using biomass and waste-burning worsened local AQI levels.
Ritu Ahlawat, an environmentalist, commented:
“This land was meant to act as a green buffer against NH-48 pollution. Encroachment destroyed that purpose. Restoring it will benefit not just Sector-31 but Gurugram’s larger ecosystem.”
Social Angle: What About the Displaced?
While many residents welcomed the demolition, human rights groups expressed concern about the rehabilitation of displaced families.
- Several of the evicted families had been living in Sector-31 for over a decade.
- Many worked as domestic helpers, security guards, street vendors, and construction workers in nearby colonies.
- NGOs cautioned that without proper resettlement, these families risk slipping into deeper poverty.
Seema Chauhan of an NGO working on urban housing told Sarhind Times:
“Yes, encroachments harm the city, but the people living there are also part of the city. Authorities must balance environmental restoration with humane rehabilitation policies.”
The GMDA, however, clarified that land meant for ecological buffers cannot be converted into housing settlements, and responsibility for rehabilitation lies with broader state housing policies.
Market and Footpath Encroachments
The demolition drive did not stop at shanties. GMDA and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) jointly inspected the Sector-31 market area:
- Illegal vendor stalls and makeshift kiosks were cleared.
- Authorities claim 80% of footpath encroachments have been removed.
- Plans are in place to redesign walking corridors with pedestrian-friendly pavements and green landscaping.
Shoppers and residents in the area expressed relief. Rajiv Mehta, a Sector-31 resident, said:
“For years, walking to the market meant navigating piles of garbage, parked carts, and open drains. If GMDA sustains this clean-up, it will improve daily life tremendously.”
City-Wide Crackdown
Officials confirmed that the Sector-31 operation is part of a larger city-wide crackdown on illegal encroachments and environmental violations. Similar drives are expected in:
- Sectors 17–18 (near IFFCO Chowk)
- MG Road stretches
- Green belts along Golf Course Extension Road
The aim is to protect ecological corridors, improve drainage, and reduce localized air pollution.
Citizen and NGO Reactions
The move has sparked mixed reactions:
- Supportive voices: RWAs and environmental groups applauded the drive as overdue.
- Critical voices: Social activists highlighted the absence of a clear resettlement plan for displaced families.
- Neutral citizens: Many residents expressed cautious optimism, hoping the reclaimed land will not remain barren but be converted into parks, plantations, or eco-walkways.
What’s Next for the Green Belt?
GMDA has laid out a two-phase plan for the reclaimed land:
- Immediate measures
- Complete debris clearance.
- Install fencing and security patrols.
- Begin soil treatment.
- Long-term plans
- Create landscaped green spaces with native trees.
- Develop a pedestrian-friendly eco-corridor.
- Consider cycle tracks and rainwater harvesting features.
An official hinted that GMDA is also exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) to maintain green belts sustainably.
The Bigger Picture: Gurugram’s Environmental Struggle
Gurugram’s rapid urbanisation has often come at the cost of its environment:
- Tree cover has shrunk by 18% in a decade.
- AQI regularly enters the “severe” category in winter.
- Water bodies have been encroached and polluted.
- Green belts meant as buffers along highways have steadily disappeared under construction pressure.
The Sector-31 reclamation may serve as a test case for how determined governance can reverse this trend.
Closing Thought
The GMDA’s demolition of over 100 shanties in Sector-31 is a complex urban story: a victory for environmental restoration, but also a reminder of the human costs of unplanned urban growth. As Gurugram seeks to reinvent itself as a global financial hub, its ability to protect green spaces and balance social equity will define its long-term sustainability.
If followed through with landscaping, public facilities, and humane policies, the reclaimed green belt could become a model for urban resilience and ecological justice in India’s Millennium City.
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