Ggn’s Sukhrali pond: A waterbody that residents want to be utilised otherwise

Spread in an area of around 5 acre, Sukhrali pond has been able to survive from complete encroachment unlike the other village ponds in Gurgaon. The pond survived even as Sukhrali continued to face the challenges of rapid urbanisation from the time the first land transaction in the area was notified between Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and the villagers in 1977.

With a city having received good rainfall this season, the Sukhrali pond today is again filled up. The residents of Sukhrali, however, do not feel very happy with the state of affairs of the pond and some of the residents when spoken to even advocate that the huge area of land where the pond exists should now be put for some other use like developing the area into a park or building sports academy for youngsters.

A part of land where the pond exists today consists of a community centre and some shops.

Under the jurisdiction of Municipal Commission of Gurgaon (MCG) from 2010, the residents of Sukhrali cite that the pond today is facing huge neglect, lack of cleanliness and is been reduced to a source of various water-borne diseases emanating from the area.

In mentioning the significance of the pond in replenishing the depleting groundwater reserves, Chaudhury Brahmprakash whose father was a former Sarpanch of the area said: “30 years back, the groundwater level in Gurgaon was at the depth of 80 feet. Today, it can be traced at 350 feet. The reason behind this is because most of us have become dependent on supply of water from Basai Canal and extraction through electric motors.”

Brahmpraksh also highlighted that during Monsoons, most water from new Gurgaon areas like DLF city, Ansals Sushant Lok, Unitech South city would drain into the pond, however, as their sources are now blocked it spills on the roads causing severe waterlogging.

The lands acquired from Sukhrali villagers today consists of HUDA Sectors 17, 14 and 29 along with Management Development Institute (MDI). Sukrali, a Jat dominated village, is believed to have been created by one Sukhpal in 1626. His other brother Mahipal formed Mahipalpur village in South-west Delhi.