Gurgaon Developers Neglect Mandatory Sewage Monitoring, Hundreds of Projects Lack Analyzers

In a concerning revelation, a recent investigation has found that over 300 real estate and commercial projects across Gurgaon, India have failed to install mandatory sewage treatment plant (STP) analyzers as of August 2025. These analyzers are a critical component of a project's environmental management system, designed to provide real-time data on parameters like pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) to ensure treated wastewater meets discharge norms.

According to documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has identified 305 developers, builders, and colonizers who have not complied with the requirement to install online STP analyzers. In contrast, only 32 projects have the necessary monitoring systems in place.

Environmentalists have expressed serious concerns about this widespread lack of compliance, stating that the absence of analyzers raises doubts about the proper functioning of STPs. In areas without a sewerage network, untreated or poorly treated sewage is likely ending up in stormwater drains or percolating into groundwater, posing a significant threat to the local environment and public health.

The HSPCB has acknowledged the gap in regulatory oversight, admitting that there is no provision for physical surveys to verify the installation of STP analyzers. The agency relies on self-reported compliance and third-party audits, but experts have highlighted the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure developers fulfill their environmental obligations.

As the authorities review the situation and prepare to take appropriate action against violators, the Gurgaon community awaits a resolution to this pressing environmental issue, which has long-standing implications for the city's sustainable development.