India, July 25 -- When Vanita Pasricha left her house in central Delhi and moved to Gurugram in 2011, she thought she was trading the chaos of the Capital for a quieter and more spacious lifestyle.

"It wasn't an easy decision," said the 68-year-old resident of Sushant Lok-1. "But we wanted more space and a better quality of life. Gurugram looked like the perfect place."

15 years later, she said she often questions that decision.

Pasricha said that she remembers Gurugram as a city that still had room to breathe. The roads were relatively empty, neighbourhoods felt secure, and there was a sense of community among residents. Peacocks were a common sight in the area around her home, and mornings were quieter than they had ever been in Delh...