5 Things Gurgaon Needs To Immediately Fix To Earn The Smart City Tag

In rapidly urbanizing nations, cities might grow faster than its infrastructure. Even though it is commonly believed that developing countries are too resource-crunched to build the necessary infrastructure, this is rarely true. Rapidly urbanizing societies often generate wealth that is necessary for urban expansion. Productivity is much higher in urban areas. Rapid urbanization itself is a result of prosperity.

The case of Gurgaon is indicative. Gurgaon contributes to 40.4% of Haryana's state-run distribution company, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam's (DHBVN) revenues, but consumes merely 33.9% of its load. Curiously enough, Gurgaon is known for inadequate power supply. Cities like Gurgaon can earn their keep. But, in the City mission, Karnal (90 points) and Faridabad (87.5) are ahead of Gurgaon (85 points). 

According to some estimates, Gurgaon does not receive even a quarter of its contribution to Haryana's revenues for its own development because many argue that it is, politically, a less powerful city. There were many other reasons why Karnal and Faridabad are ahead of Gurgaon. Gurgaon did not qualify for funds for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The property tax collection of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) is unsatisfactory too. To be part of the City mission, Gurgaon would need to argue its case more persuasively. 

Primarily, what are the 5 things Gurgaon needs to fix to be part of the City mission? 

1. Sewerage: Gurgaon does not have a public sewage system that extends to every part of the city. Though privately provided sewerage in Gurgaon is efficient, it creates externalities that are borne by the people who cannot afford it. For instance, private sewerage systems are linked to tanks that are often dumped in rivers or bare land. This would not have been true of a sewage system that is connected to official sewerage lines. Gurgaon can do much better. 

2. Electricity: Though electricity is produced largely in government owned plants, electricity is privately produced too. But, because private production is done on a small scale, it is not as efficient as it ought to be. Private production of electricity also leads to excessive pollution. But, if rule of law were considered sacrosanct in Gurgaon, private producers of electricity would not have been allowed to pollute the city.   Residents of Gurgaon face power failure for many hours a day. Understandably, small and medium enterprises leave Gurgaon. Large firms can afford to stay in Gurgaon, but they pay a hefty premium for this. As contributes to 40.4% of DHBVN's revenues, this is a failure the city can easily overcome.

3. Water Supply: Water, like sewerage and electricity, does not cost much, but when it is produced on a small scale, the average cost per person is higher. In , like in most Indian cities, the quality of piped water supply is poor. The Narendra Modi government wants to build properly constructed homes for everyone by 2022. But, by building water mains to urban areas like Gurgaon, the government can make unlock much urban land that would have otherwise not been valuable. The cost of building water mains is relatively low, when compared to its impact on affordability of homes. 

4. Law And Order: Law and police in Gurgaon, like in much of India, do not function properly. Wealthy residents of Gurgaon have dealt with it by hiring private security personnel. But, as much of the city is not protected by private security personnel, this is inadequate for the needs of the city. As a result, even the wealthy feel that they are isolated from the larger world where anarchy reigns. A relatively prosperous city like Gurgaon deserves much better.

5. Transportation: In private residential complexes in Gurgaon, families own at least one car. Every year, the city adds tens of thousands of cars to its roads. But, the transportation system in Gurgaon is unsatisfactory, to say the least. Roads are poorly constructed and the planning of the junctions and toll boots leave much to be desired. Roads are congested. As many parts of Gurgaon are densely populated, building mass transit stations would not be expensive when compared to its benefits. 

If the state government and urban local authorities tackle these problems, Gurgaon can live up to its claim to being the 'Singapore Of India'.