Greenbelts, landscaping, plantation: Revamp at 5 junctions to cut heat and pollution

Gurgaon: GMDA has started beautification and greening work at five of the city’s busiest traffic junctions, aiming to tackle urban heat island effects and improve air quality along major traffic nodes, ahead of the monsoon.

The work is underway at Mahavir Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Atul Kataria Chowk, Jharsa Chowk and Kanhai Chowk — intersections that witness heavy vehicular movement throughout the day and remain prone to dust, rising temperatures and pollution. Officials said all junction upgrades and beautification will be completed by June 15.

As part of the drive, the metropolitan authority is carrying out plantation work, landscaping, development of green pockets, painting of kerbstones and fencing of green belts to prevent encroachments and dumping of debris.

At Rajiv Chowk, plantation and landscaping activities are underway across the central green islands and adjoining areas. Fencing work is also being carried out to protect green spaces from encroachments and ensure their long-term maintenance.

Similarly, pillar beautification, landscaping and plantation activities are being undertaken at Atul Kataria Chowk to improve the aesthetics of the intersection, which serves as a major entry point connecting old and new parts of the city.

At Mahavir Chowk, the Authority is planning to develop a Miyawaki forest — a dense urban plantation model known for faster growth and better ecological benefits. Officials said the plantation will help improve greenery and create a natural buffer against pollution and heat. Similar greening and beautification works are also progressing at Jharsa Chowk and Kanhai Chowk.

“Through these interventions, we are working towards building greener, cleaner and more sustainable public spaces that contribute to environmental resilience and improve commuter experience,” said Amit Godara, executive engineer, GMDA.

GMDA is also restoring green belts along nearly 45km of road stretches across the city. The authority is clearing construction waste, excess soil, and debris from these belts and levelling them to serve as green drains, improving stormwater flow during the monsoon.