Residents start drive to clean, revamp Gurugram’s Sec 21

After the Municipal Corporation Gurugram ‘failed’ to address sanitation issues, the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of Sector 21 has taken the matter in its hands. In collaboration with ‘Sukma’, a private agency tasked with providing manpower for cleaning various parts of Gurugram, the RWA has launched an initiative to clean their sector.

Prakash Lamba, president of RWA, Sector 21, told The Tribune that they launched the first phase of this initiative named ‘Operation Kayakalp’ today to completely revamp and clean the sector, including all main roads and internal lanes.

He said the mission of the operation was to ensure that every corner of Sector 21 was thoroughly cleaned, addressing the core issues of loose soil, dust and waste in all public spaces. “The operation is not just about cleanliness; it also aims to improve the aesthetics of the sector, making it a healthier and more attractive place to live,” he said.

The streets and lanes will be cleared of debris, dust and accumulated waste, with particular attention to the most neglected corners of the sector. Residents have also stepped up to contribute manpower and resources to support the success of this initiative, Lamba added.

He said the initiative was the brainchild of KL Sharma, general secretary of the RWA, while Air Marshal AS Anand (Retd), a local resident, provided his valuable inputs.

RWA activists Ashok Yadav, Deepak Bhatia, Dr Pooja Tarar, NS Saini, Rajpal Jongla, Dharmendra Yadav, Virender Kumar and others joined the cleanliness drive, actively overseeing different parts of the sector to ensure that the cleaning efforts are both effective and sustainable.

In the second phase of ‘Operation Kayakalp’, the RWA plans to address issues such as minor road repairs, fixing potholes, restoring greenery and improving the sector’s overall infrastructure. The RWA has requested support from the Municipal Corporation, Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority to assist with these efforts during the second phase.

Additionally, the RWA has urged the MCG and HSVP to take immediate action to clear a large garbage dump located in the heart of the sector. This site has become a dumping ground for various types of waste, including hazardous industrial waste from nearby areas like Delhi, Sectors 55-56, Udyog Vihar and DLF Phases I to IV. As a result, the surrounding area is plagued by a foul odour, and there are concerns about the emission of toxic gases, which pose health risks to local residents.

Ashok Yadav, a local RWA activist, has called for quick action by the MCG to eliminate the dump and ensure proper waste management.