In a glaring example of administrative delays and lack of coordination, a much-awaited community centre in Gurgaon's Sector 14 has remained inaccessible to residents for nearly a decade since its announcement. The facility, though structurally complete, is caught in a web of pending approvals and lacks basic amenities like a permanent electricity connection.
A Decade of Promises and Setbacks
The project was first announced in 2015, but construction only began in 2021. The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) approved its initial budget of ₹11.2 crore four years after the announcement. The process faced an immediate hurdle with a delayed environmental clearance from the forest department. In 2023, an additional estimate of ₹7.38 crore was prepared by the civic body, citing revised requirements, taking the total projected cost to ₹18.58 crore.
Residents and local activists have expressed deep frustration over the endless wait. Kalyan Singh Sharma, a resident and social worker, pointed out the irony. "The government claims red-tapism will not obstruct public services, but this project is a glaring example of how lack of coordination can defeat public interest," he said. Sharma has urged the Chief Minister to set a clear inauguration deadline, warning that without it, approvals could linger indefinitely.
Residents Bear the Brunt of Inaction
The unfinished project has forced the local community to seek alternatives for their social needs. "For small events and social gatherings, we are forced to depend on community centres or halls in nearby sectors," shared one resident. Some have even resorted to using the Sector 14 facility unofficially by arranging temporary generators, highlighting the absurdity of a ready building lying dormant.
Pawan Jindal, another resident, called the delays unnecessary and avoidable. "The facility is ready but it cannot be used. People have been waiting for this community centre for years. We keep hearing that the inauguration will happen, but no one knows when," he lamented. Residents unanimously blame the lack of timely action by officials for the prolonged delay in both completion and commissioning.
Official Response and Pending Hurdles
When contacted, an MCG official stated that the civic body has applied for an electricity connection. The official explained that the earlier proposed connection was insufficient, necessitating a load enhancement. Furthermore, a committee must decide on the user charges for the community centre before it can be formally opened to the public.
This saga of the Sector 14 community centre underscores a chronic issue in urban governance: the gap between infrastructure creation and its operationalization. As residents continue their wait, the building stands as a silent testament to systemic inefficiencies that ultimately deprive citizens of essential public amenities.
