Gurugram, Nov. 11 -- Outside the upscale condominiums in Sector 48, stray cattle wander onto narrow roads already struggling to accommodate heavy traffic, often bringing vehicles to a halt. When the traffic finally moves, cars kick up plumes of dust, prompting everyone in the vicinity to hastily cover their faces. Farther inside the sector, piles of garbage line the roadsides, while commuters negotiate damaged stretches. During the monsoon, waterlogging adds to their woes.

Residents said the rapid growth of commercial establishments around the sector had not been matched by improvements in road infrastructure, worsening congestion and making daily commutes increasingly difficult. The consequences sometimes extend beyond inconvenience, wi...