Gurgaon: The city has planned nearly 37 km of fresh greening work across central road verges and pedestrian pathways in 2026, under a multi-agency action plan that leans heavily on the monsoon season. According to the plan, 23.3 km of central verges and 14 km of pathways are slated to be greened during the year. At present, nearly 198 km of verges and 219 km of pathways have greenery across the city.Data submitted to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) shows that the most greened verges are under GMDA, which maintains 145.81 km. Other contributors include PWD (22.21 km), NHAI (18 km), HSVP (6.76 km) and MCG (5.2 km). In 2026, new greening targets for central verges have been limited to MCG (2.5 km), GMDA (2.8 km) and NHAI (18 km).The plan shows no activity from Jan to May with work beginning only in June and peaking between July and Sept. NHAI accounts for the largest share, scheduling 5 km each in July, Aug and Sept, followed by smaller additions towards year-end. GMDA’s contribution is scheduled between Aug and Oct, while MCG’s targets are spread across March to May.On pedestrian infrastructure, around 235 km of pathways have already been paved under GMDA, HSIIDC and MCG. About 220 km of pathways are currently greened, mainly by GMDA and NHAI. For 2026, the plan prioritises paving over greening. A total of 104.75 km of pathways is proposed to be paved, with MCG responsible for nearly 69 km. Most of this work is planned for Oct to Dec.In contrast, only 14 km of pathways is proposed to be greened. Of this, NHAI will undertake the job across 13 km, largely during the monsoon months, while MCG has a token 1 km, scheduled for Dec.Overall, the plan depends heavily on the June–Sept monsoon period, with minimal work planned in the first five months. Civic officials said this reflects concerns about plantation survival, while urban planners noted that delayed execution often leads to year-end rushes and the maintenance remaining incomplete.An HSPCB officer said, “The programme will expand Gurgaon’s roadside green cover. However, he pointed out that dust from construction sites, broken pavements, unpaved roads and waste burning continues to push up PM10 levels.”
