Gurugram, the city that outgrew itself

Gurugram's problems persist throughout the year, but worsen during the monsoon months. The city has been built without adequate systems for managing rainwater runoff.

- DHRUV C. KATOCH

Once upon a time, driving along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway was a pleasant experience. The wide, four-lane, two-way expressway from Dhaula Kuan to Gurugram and then onwards to Jaipur, completed in 2010, provided residents with a transformative connection between the two major urban centres and quickly became one of India's busiest intercity routes.

At the turn of the century, a combination of forward-thinking policies, visionary leadership, and land available at reasonable prices propelled Gurugram to become a centre for multinational corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and global investors. Its proximity to Delhi and the planned urban road infrastructure transformed this once-quiet agricultural town into a striking, modern metropolis that symbolises India's emerging economy.

Its remarkable transformation into a leading urban, financial, and technological hub earned Gurugram the nickname the Millennium City.

It was, indeed, a symbol of the new millennium. The nickname helped to brand it as a city built for progress and the future. The influx of corporate wealth led to the development of a modern, upscale lifestyle. The city experienced rapid construction of high-end housing, luxury shopping centres, entertainment complexes like Cyber Hub, and a vibrant social scene, all catering to a young, affluent workforce. A significant part of Gurugram's development was carried out by private real estate developers, who built corporate parks, residential communities, and provided essential infrastructure, including electricity and water. This distinguished it from many older Indian cities that grew more organically, and helped reinforce its image as a carefully planned, forward-looking city.