In the early 1990s, India’s economy liberalised, and many public enterprises underwent privatisation. Because of its emerging free market, many multinational workers moved to Gurgaon to work for new jobs and businesses. They were attracted by the idea of a self contained township with urban conveniences, and the proximity to India’s national capital. Unable to execute or manage the rapid growth of Gurgaon, the public authorities handed over responsibility to private corporations. Soon, developers privatised nearly all aspects of urban life. Luxury apartments, malls, shopping complexes began to pop up in the heart of the city. With these changes came residents from all around India who wanted and could afford these luxuries. A growing class of white-collar workers, property owners, businessmen and businesswoman became the first residents of the township of Gurgaon.

Soon the city was divided into New Gurgaon and Old Gurgaon. While high-income families were set up in the glitzy New Gurgaon, the city’s lower and middle-income residents were hemmed into Old Gurgaon, which remained woefully under-serviced. Until September 2018, there was no bus service in the city which prioritised personal vehicle ownership.