The authorities in Gurugram are conducting a large-scale enforcement drive against illegal constructions and unauthorised commercial activities in Gurugram’s DLF Phase-3, leaving several families in limbo.
As per officials, the action stems from a writ petition filed by the DLF Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) nearly two years ago. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed a survey of properties across the DLF township.
During the court-directed survey, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) flagged violations and ordered the owners to restore their properties as per the sanctioned building plans.
The ongoing enforcement action was launched after the compliance deadlines expired. The authorities started demolition and sealing operations.
Tenants left homeless
As part of the crackdown, hundreds of properties, being operated as paying guest (PG) rooms, were sealed. The residential properties where other commercial activities, including restaurants, beauty parlours, guest houses, gyms, etc., were operational were also sealed.
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The crackdown, however, has hurt the tenants most, who were residing in these illegally modified facilities. Dozens of families are reported to have lost their residences overnight. Many of them said they were caught unaware by the sealing drive, even as authorities assert they provided notices to property owners.
Mega PG demolished
According to a report by India Today, the authorities also demolished an illegal PG operating from Amaltas Apartments (S-23/1) in DLF Phase-3.
The authorities stated that the building was approved for four families, but it was transformed into a 45-room set-up with attached 45 toilets.
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The arbitrary modifications had put pressure on water, sewage and electricity infrastructure and posed serious safety concerns.
The authorities also removed encroachment using bulldozers on government land and common right-of-way (ROW) areas between buildings. The residents had allegedly created gardens, guard rooms, genset installations and temporary kiosks on these areas.