Gurgaon: While the land for greenbelts has been marked across the city’s new sectors, only about one-third has been properly developed, and the remaining areas are either incomplete or awaiting development.RTI data accessed for sectors 81 to 115 shows that a total of 7,12,364 sqm has been earmarked for greenbelts along highways, sector-dividing roads and peripheral corridors. However, only 2,28,106 sqm — around 32% — has been fully developed, with plantations completed across the stretch. The remaining stretches only saw fragmented development.About 3,88,495 sqm, or more than 50% of the total area, has been only partially developed, where greenery exists in patches or is limited to certain portions such as central verges. Another 95,763 sqm (over 13%) remains largely undeveloped, with little to no plantation despite being designated as greenbelt.The gaps are particularly visible along some of the largest planned stretches. A master road network spanning sectors 84/36A and 83/36A, covering nearly 2.7 lakh sqm, is still only partially developed. Similarly, a key dividing road between sectors 92 and 95, spread across over 76,000 sqm, remains incomplete.In many places, plantation has been taken up only along the central verge, which is reflected as “developed” in official records.However, the side green belts — meant to act as buffers for residential areas — are either missing or sparsely planted. This has resulted in long dusty corridors, particularly in sectors along the Dwarka Expressway and outer areas between Sectors 99 and 115.The data also highlights GMDA’s reliance on corporate social responsibility initiatives for greening. Many stretches have been developed either fully or partly through CSR funding, leading to uneven execution and maintenance across locations. Plantation efforts have also lacked consistency. While a total of 24,474 trees have been planted over the past five years, the highest plantation of a little over 13,000 was carried out in 2024.Residents have now raised concerns not just over the pace of development, but also the situation on the ground. Encroachments, from temporary vegetable markets and scrap dealers to construction waste dumping, have taken over several designated green belt areas, making them unusable.“Most of the green belt under GMDA remains either undeveloped or unattended, while illegal encroachments by vendors and scrap dealers continue in areas meant to act as green lungs. Even sites marked as ‘partially developed’ are largely barren or lack functional landscaping. The administration and govt agencies are paying no attention to increasing the city’s dwindling green cover, which has reduced from 11% in 2014 to just 3% in 2026. At a time when Gurgaon faces poor air quality through much of the year, authorities need to prioritise development and maintenance of these green belts,” said Praveen Malik, RWA president of Rising Homes, who filed the RTI.Residents have sought a re-evaluation of green belt, removal of encroachments, and immediate plantation in pending areas. They have also demanded levelling and fencing of green belt land to prevent further misuse and ensure proper development.“While MoUs are being signed, there is little monitoring or enforcement on the ground, despite the critical role of greenbelts in controlling pollution, and reducing heat and noise along major roads,” said Sunil Sareen, deputy convenor of Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association.Meanwhile, GMDA said it has initiated steps to improve green cover in these sectors. “GMDA is actively working towards the development and enhancement of green areas across sectors 81 to 115. Two tenders have already been floated, while three estimates for additional works are currently under approval. A detailed survey has also been conducted along Dwarka Expressway, and estimates for green belt development in this stretch are under preparation,” an official told TOI.The authority added that it is also leveraging CSR partnerships to scale up plantation. “MoUs have been signed under CSR initiatives, through which plantation drives and horticulture works are being actively undertaken to augment green cover in this part of the city,” the official added.
