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
Waste burning at Gurugram Bus Stand sparks health concerns
The bus stand falls under the jurisdiction of the GMDA, but officials said they were unaware of the issue and will send a team to do spot checks.
Published on Apr 11, 2025 12:36 AM IST
Untreated waste dumped near Gurugram despite crores paid
Experts estimate that the vendor allegedly saved at least ₹4–5 crore by avoiding scientific processing.
Published on Apr 10, 2025 08:15 AM IST
Gurugram admin kicks off special drive to register gig workers
Gurugram launches a registration campaign for gig workers on E-Shram until April 17, aiming to provide social security benefits like health cover.
Published on Apr 10, 2025 07:12 AM IST
MCG passes ₹1,571-cr budget for Gurugram, focuses on civic infra
MCG has allocated ₹350 crore for sanitation and solid waste management, ₹80 crore for road development, ₹35 crore each for sewage/drainage and water supply, ₹40 crore for public lighting
Published on Apr 09, 2025 10:28 AM IST
Locals in arms over ahatas on farmland, green belts in Gurugram
According to civic agencies, nearly all ahatas in Gurugram operate on non-commercial land, with around 40% of them coming up on private agricultural land and 60% on green belts
Published on Apr 09, 2025 10:22 AM IST
Monsoon prep: minister directs Ggm officials to clean drains fast
To address waterlogging in green belts, Singh proposed a low-cost model, where identified areas could be dug and filled with bricks and stones up to one foot above ground level
Published on Apr 09, 2025 10:20 AM IST
Fragile roads, choked drains irk Gurugram residents
Designed to prevent waterlogging and manage stormwater flow, these drains are already choked with plastic bags, construction debris, and garbage. Due to absence of due maintenance or routine cleaning since construction, residents fear the drains will exacerbate flooding during monsoon
Published on Apr 07, 2025 06:04 AM IST
Review flags ‘gaps’ in waste management in Gurugram
In Gurugram, which has 5,006 registered sanitation workers, nearly 1,000 remained unassigned, raising concerns about human resource planning. Although the number of personnel marked present rose from 550 in January to 1,432 in March, photographic attendance verification was deemed unreliable due to unclear and incomplete images. Officials said several entries did not match the number of workers recorded
Published on Apr 05, 2025 05:32 AM IST
Residents approach HERC after long power outages at Nuh’s Silverglades Farms
Residents also alleged that their complaints were not acknowledged after office hours, leaving them “helpless during nighttime breakdowns.”
Published on Apr 03, 2025 05:58 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Tauru/nuh
Rao Narbir Singh lauds Haryana’s ‘historic’ budget
Rao Narbir praised the state budget amounting to ₹2.05 lakh crore, pointing out the historic increase from ₹650 crore at the inception of Haryana in 1966. He said that the budget, initially ₹1.18 lakh crore under former CM Manohar Lal Khattar in 2014, had witnessed an unprecedented ₹87,000 crore increment aimed at addressing public welfare
Published on Apr 02, 2025 06:44 AM IST
Plastic bags strewn in Rewari forests threaten wildlife, warn experts
Local conservationists reported spotting polythene bags littering forest floors, particularly in parts of the Aravalli region. The bags, which once held saplings, were supposed to be removed after the plantation drive was over. Instead, they continued to dot the landscape, endangering both flora and fauna in the area
Published on Apr 02, 2025 05:14 AM IST
Excise team cracks down on taverns in Gurugram, one more sealed for violations
The excise officials said the department is ramping up its monitoring to prevent any misuse of licensed premises and ensure all taverns, bars, and liquor-serving outlets are operating strictly within the framework of the law
Published on Apr 01, 2025 05:36 PM IST
Late-night brawl at Gurugram Sector 30 tavern sparks scrutiny on ahatas
Nine intoxicated guests allegedly assaulted the club’s security in charge and three bouncers after being denied re-entry on Tuesday night
Published on Mar 31, 2025 06:02 AM IST
Haryana govt nod for plan to widen NH 248A stretch along Nuh-Alwar border
Haryana government approves ₹400 crore to widen NH 248A in Nuh, addressing safety concerns after 1,100 deaths in 5 years on the single lane.
Published on Mar 31, 2025 05:58 AM IST
Locals decry steep maintenance fee hike in Gurugram Sector 37D
Residents of BPTP's Sector 37D protested a 40% maintenance charge hike, demanding transparency and accountability from the builder's agency amid service declines.
Published on Mar 31, 2025 05:56 AM IST
3rd edition of ‘Are You Lit?’ Authors, students celebrate power of storytelling
A key addition to this year’s edition was AYL Youth, an initiative that engaged six Gurugram schools in activities aimed at fostering a love for literature
Published on Mar 30, 2025 06:26 AM IST
Rampant waste burning in Sec 50 poses toxic threat for Gurugram residents
Fires have raged through the winter months, despite GRAP restrictions. The repeated combustion of dry leaves, garden clippings and dumped municipal waste continues, suffocating the city even after the winter season has passed
Published on Mar 29, 2025 07:30 AM IST
Resident flags disappearance of Gurugram’s ponds, sends legal notice to authorities
Drawing upon key Supreme Court rulings, the letter reminds authorities that ponds are a form of public trust and cannot be alienated for private or commercial use. It further asserts that the loss and degradation of these water bodies violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and a clean environment
Published on Mar 29, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Police book 23 for poaching birds at Nuh’s Kotla reservoir
The Kotla reservoir, though not a formally protected wildlife sanctuary, supports hundreds of migratory birds each year, including common teals, northern pintails, Eurasian coots, and wood sandpipers. Conservationists say these birds are vital to maintaining the health of local wetlands and ecosystems
Published on Mar 28, 2025 06:08 AM IST
Human intrusion harming bird haven at Bhondsi forest in Gurugram
The Bhondsi forest near Gurugram faces threats from unethical bird photography and poaching, endangering nearly 46% of Haryana’s bird species.
Published on Mar 25, 2025 06:44 AM IST
Ensure no black spots, act against wrong-side driving: Gurugram DC
He told officials to enforce Safe School Vehicle Policy and impound school buses operating without valid fitness certificates
Published on Mar 25, 2025 06:26 AM IST
MCG to start structural audit of 87 unsafe buildings in Gurugram
MCG to hire a private agency for a structural audit of 87 buildings deemed unsafe after discrepancies in a previous survey; compliance report due by May 20.
Published on Mar 24, 2025 07:04 AM IST
Rampant bird hunting uncovered at Nuh’s Kotla reservoir
Kotla, a seasonal haven for migratory birds that travel from as far as Central Asia and Europe, is around 60km from Gurugram. Every year, thousands of birds make their journey to these wetlands, resting and feeding before continuing their migration. But what should be a bird sanctuary has instead become a hunting ground
Published on Mar 22, 2025 05:54 AM IST
Leena Dhankhar, Nuh:
Residents of New Gurugram protest against sewage charges, seek waiver from GMDA
They pointed out that External Development Charges (EDC) and Infrastructure Development Charges (IDC) were paid nearly a decade ago, covering the cost of sewage and drainage systems, yet the infrastructure remains incomplete. Additionally, property taxes are being paid regularly, adding to their frustration over unjustified extra costs
Published on Mar 21, 2025 06:00 AM IST
Fresh contract for firm hired to clear Bandhwari landfill
Despite its poor track record, the agency has now been selected as one of two contractors for a new ₹90.1 crore project to process 1.4 million MT of waste at the landfill. This decision has sparked outrage among local residents and environmental activists, who argue that more competent agencies should have been given the contract
Published on Mar 20, 2025 06:42 AM IST
Three cattle smugglers held after firefight with Nuh police
Initial investigations suggest that the gang was linked to multiple cases of cattle smuggling across Haryana and Rajasthan.
Published on Mar 19, 2025 05:44 AM IST
After HT report, officials crack down on erring ahatas in Gurugram
The action comes against a backdrop of HT reporting widespread violations in the operation of ahatas across the city in a report titled “Ggm taverns thrive in disregard for legal and safety regulations”
Published on Mar 19, 2025 05:24 AM IST
Daulatabad Chowk service road entry to Dwarka Expressway closed till April 30
NHAI said commuters travelling from Dhankot and Basai towards Delhi should use the service road and merge onto the main carriageway after the Bijwasan toll plaza
Published on Mar 18, 2025 04:43 PM IST
Suspected cow smugglers on run after exchange of fire in Haryana’s Nuh
Preliminary investigation indicated the suspects were linked to the Adwani gang involved in cattle smuggling and illegal transportation across Haryana and Rajasthan
Updated on Mar 18, 2025 11:01 AM IST
Hry budget focuses on AI, metro, and infra growth in Gurugram
The budget also allocates significant funds for Gurugram’s metro expansion, road infrastructure, and water management projects under GMDA
Published on Mar 18, 2025 05:38 AM IST