Bigger roads, flyovers and expressways but rain still brings cities to standstill

India has been constructing larger roads, wider highways, flyovers, expressways, and new urban corridors to improve urban mobility. However, heavy monsoon rains continue to cripple cities with sophisticated infrastructure. The root cause lies beneath the road surfaces—drainage systems, water channels, wetlands, and urban planning have not kept pace with rapid development.

The recent heavy rainfall in Gurgaon, for example, caused flooding on major roads, road collapses, and disruptions to transport, despite the city's reputation for expensive commercial real estate and busy streets. Gurgaon has invested heavily in drainage maintenance, road repairs, pumping equipment, and flood-control measures, but the problem persists.

Delhi also experienced severe flooding this monsoon, with parts of the city recording over 100mm of rain within a few hours, disrupting traffic on major expressways and at the airport. The issue is not merely the volume of rain, but its intensity and the city's inability to manage it effectively. Indian cities are now facing sudden, heavy rainfall bursts that can overwhelm road capacity within minutes.

Even planned cities like Chandigarh struggle during heavy monsoon showers, with roads turning into streams and causing widespread flooding. The core problem lies in the loss of permeable ground due to extensive concrete and asphalt coverage, rendering natural water channels ineffective. Drain cleaning and repairs are routinely carried out after flooding occurs, rather than as proactive measures.

A comprehensive approach is needed, including preserving natural drainage channels, increasing storm-water capacity, and ensuring proper road gradients and outlets. Technology can assist, but it must be coupled with effective ground-level action.