Leena Dhankhar has worked with Hindustan Times for five years. She has covered crime, traffic and excise. She now reports on civic issues and grievances of residents.
Articles by Leena Dhankhar
Haryana: Rights panel orders probe into ‘racial bullying’ of student
The Haryana Human Rights Commission has sought response from the local education department, police and two teachers of a government school in Gurugram who have been accused of inaction.
Published on May 06, 2025 09:54 AM IST
Ggm: Locals flag inaction despite data on waterlogging hotspots
The members pointed out that despite repeated submissions of field reports to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and even Haryana cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh, no meaningful mitigation plan has been put in place
Published on May 06, 2025 06:40 AM IST
Haryana: New excise policy spells out curbs for ahatas
One of the biggest changes is a crackdown on ahatas, with a new cap of 1,000 square metres per establishment. Live music and other performances are now banned at these venues, and operating hours have been curtailed—closing time has been advanced from 8am to 4am
Published on May 06, 2025 06:34 AM IST
Swamp of garbage, waterlogging in Ashok vihar Ph-3 sparks civic outrage
Residents are demanding immediate action from the MCG, including the deployment of water pumps and a permanent solution for garbage disposal and drainage
Published on May 05, 2025 06:50 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram
Haryana launches AI-enabled water atlas amid alarming groundwater crisis
The platform gives real-time, layered insights into groundwater levels, surface water bodies, canal systems, aquifers, recharge zones, cropping patterns
Published on May 05, 2025 06:48 AM IST
Gurugram RWAs issue balcony safety circulars after Pune kid’s death
RWAs are now not only issuing advisories but also considering periodic inspections and, in some cases, penalties for repeat violations
Published on May 05, 2025 06:46 AM IST
5 firms that burn waste in Aravallis under scanner, probe ordered
The illegal practice has been linked to severe environmental degradation, health hazards among the local population and recurring forest fires in the Khori Kalan and Khori Khurd villages near the Haryana-Rajasthan border.
Published on May 04, 2025 06:30 AM IST
Sudden storm exposes holes in Gurugram’s infra
By 9 am, knee-deep water had transformed roads into rivers, halting vehicles and triggering breakdowns that stretched delays beyond 60 minutes. Winds gusting up to 80 km/h snapped power lines, uprooted trees and plunged swathes of old Gurugram into darkness, underscoring the city’s fragile disaster preparedness
Published on May 03, 2025 06:08 AM IST
Gurugram DTP faces heat for selective demolition, alleged class bias
The Congress also questioned why areas like Golf Course Road and Sohna Road, known for rampant multi-storey violations and unauthorised extensions, have seen no meaningful action
Updated on May 02, 2025 09:05 PM IST
After 57 transfers over 33 years, senior IAS officer Khemka retires
In 2019, after being shunted to the archaeology department, Khemka took to social media to express his frustration, saying: ‘Reward for honesty is humiliation’
Published on May 01, 2025 06:14 AM IST
Toxic smoke engulfs Gurugram as Bandhwari fire lingers
Environmentalists and residents have expressed deep anger over the repeated incidents, calling them a direct consequence of gross negligence, inter-departmental apathy, and lack of proactive waste management
Published on May 01, 2025 05:24 AM IST
Supreme Court orders probe into builder-bank nexus in Gurugram
Supreme Court's order for a CBI probe into Gurugram's builder-bank nexus offers hope to homebuyers after years of stalled projects and unfulfilled promises.
Updated on Apr 30, 2025 10:26 PM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram
Graft charges rock MCM setup, prompts probe order by Hry CM
Commissioner Renu Sogan was transferred late Monday night and posted as additional secretary in the Haryana Government’s grievances department
Published on Apr 30, 2025 06:53 AM IST
‘Waste mismanagement’ sparks inquiry at Palwal landfill
The allegations have prompted the deputy commissioner of Nuh, Vishram Kumar Meena, to order a fresh inquiry.
Updated on Apr 30, 2025 01:00 PM IST
Gurugram’s SPR to become key realty hub in Delhi-NCR
With 23 ongoing projects expected to deliver around 11,900 residential units by 2029, SPR remains a prime draw for investors and homebuyers
Published on Apr 29, 2025 06:24 AM IST
Blazes, illegal mining spark fresh concerns for Aravallis in Gurugram-Faridabad
Environmentalists met Haryana forest minister Rao Narbir Singh on Sunday and apprised him of the situation
Published on Apr 29, 2025 06:14 AM IST
Manesar civic officials accused of corruption; MCM denies claims
A contractor accused MCM of deliberately withholding payments, imposing unfair penalties and demanding bribes to process bills
Published on Apr 29, 2025 06:10 AM IST
Bhondsi and Mangar forests reel under admin apathy
In Bhondsi, visitors found a volleyball net and loudspeakers set up inside the core birding zone— activities that are strictly prohibited but are taking place, further threatening the fragile ecosystem
Published on Apr 28, 2025 06:38 AM IST
Himalayan bird greater racket-tailed drongo seen for first time in Gurugram
The greater racket-tailed drongo is typically associated with moist, dense forests along the Himalayan foothills and terai regions
Published on Apr 28, 2025 05:14 AM IST
7 workers mowed down on Delhi-Mumbai e-way
The incident took place when the workers were carrying out routine cleaning work along the high-speed corridor and the pickup van — coming from Delhi and going to Alwar — lost control and rammed into them
Published on Apr 27, 2025 05:24 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Nuh
Pickup van mows down 6 sanitation workers on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, 5 injured
Workers were doing their routine maintenance work along the high-speed corridor. The collision was so severe that the bodies were mutilated and scattered across the accident site
Published on Apr 26, 2025 11:31 AM IST
HC issues notice to Gurugram mayor, two others, over ‘fake caste certificate’
The high court, while issuing notices to the state government and relevant officials, observed that the matter raises serious questions about the credibility of the municipal polls under the Haryana Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2023, which reserves seats for BC-A category candidates
Published on Apr 26, 2025 05:46 AM IST
NGT rebukes Ggm and F’bad civic bodies over rising legacy waste at Bandhwari landfill
The watchdog pointed out that there is no disclosure of the daily quantity of legacy waste currently being bio-remediated or mined, nor has the breakdown of various waste fractions and their subsequent disposal been provided
Published on Apr 25, 2025 07:02 AM IST
Gurugram DC orders probe after residents complain about untreated sewage
Residents of Astaire Garden, Gurugram, complain of untreated sewage discharge affecting health and air quality; officials to inspect and take action.
Published on Apr 25, 2025 06:58 AM IST
Forest fires ravage Aravallis on Earth Day, allege activists
Activists and locals alike denounced what they perceived as a systemic failure in managing both solid waste and recurring forest fires
Published on Apr 24, 2025 06:48 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram
Sport in Bhondsi birding hot spot causes outrage
The ban, officials said, was imposed on March 27to prevent disturbances during bird nesting season and curb potential poaching.
Published on Apr 23, 2025 06:04 AM IST
Gurugram: 3rd Bandhwari fire in April spark concerns of foul play
A third fire near Bandhwari landfill raises suspicions of deliberate forest clearing, prompting calls for investigation into MCG's waste management practices.
Published on Apr 22, 2025 08:40 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram
MCG demolishes illegal road, constructions at Kadarpur Dam
MCG shut an illegal road at Kadarpur Dam, clearing encroachments for repairs. Officials promise ongoing enforcement to protect public land and safety.
Published on Apr 22, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Residents fume as sewage woes persist in Gurugram’s Sushant Lok Ph-3
According to residents, the issue has not only disrupted daily life but also exposed broader civic failures
Published on Apr 22, 2025 07:50 AM IST
Musical soiree draws crowds in Gurugram
Kalagram hosted a classical music evening in Gurugram, featuring vocalist Sudhanshu Bahuguna, promoting arts and community engagement in the district.
Published on Apr 21, 2025 07:10 AM IST