Green belt turns brown due to sewage accumulation

GURGAON: The green belt at Hero Honda Chowk has turned brown. Over 50 trees that had been planted as part of the administration's green drive have withered.
It's not autumn which is making the trees look bare. The stretch, surrounded by major industries on both sides, has water from the city's sewage systems perennially accumulating here.
And the accumulated water is also a major health hazard.Mosquito larvae can be seen everywhere on the water surface, and a number of people have reportedly fallen prey to mosquito-borne diseases in the area.
"More than 10 of our co-workers have got dengue or malaria. We asked our contractor to get something done about the problem, but nothing has been done so far," said a sweeper hired by NHAI.
Even the traffic constables posted at the crossing complain. "We stand here for long stretches. The place stinks. And of course, there is always the fear of the mosquitoes," said Nisha, a woman constable.
Babu, a tea stall owner, said, "I have been selling tea here for the past two years but I have never seen the trees healthy."
The administration, however, claims the problem is temporary and will be resolved soon. HUDA administrator Nitin Yadav told TOI, "The sewage system laid between Rajiv Chowk and Sector 34 is not capable of carrying the sewage load of all the sectors adjoining the intersection. As a result, Hero Honda Chowk, which lies in a depression, gets flooded."
He added, "The public health department is in the process of laying a sewage system which will be able to carry the entire sewage load. Work is almost complete, barring a few points on the stretch. We are hopeful the accumulated water will drain out once the new system is in place."