India, July 27 -- Residents of Sector 46 in Gurugram are raising alarm over a rapid deterioration of civic conditions in the area, with rampant encroachments, illegal hutments, unauthorised gates, and waste mismanagement turning the neighbourhood into what they describe as an "urban jungle."

Frustrated over the lack of effective civic response, locals allege they have repeatedly complained to authorities with little to no lasting action. "This is not how a 'smart city' should look or function. We now turn to the media to shake the authorities out of their apathy," said Ashish Garg, a resident of Sector 46.

At the heart of the residents' concerns is the Sector 46 market, where illegal commercial sprawl has become unmanageable. "Bigger sh...