Mohali, May 22 -- Sitting just outside the northern edge of planned city Chandigarh, Nayagaon, a town and municipal council in Mohali district, serves as a classic example of how unplanned growth can directly affect the quality of life of residents.

While Chandigarh is internationally known for its meticulously planned sectors, wide roads and low-density housing, Nayagaon stands in stark contrast with its narrow, broken roads, multi-storey constructions and limited civic amenities.

While it was a gram panchayat until 2006, it was elevated to the status of municipal council in 2017.

But nearly a decade on, the town still lacks a proper sewerage network. Several localities either lack underground sewer lines or depend on old pipelines to...