GURUGRAM: The department of town and country planning (DTCP), with police support, demolished four unauthorised gates in South City 1 and Sushant Lok 1 on Saturday (Feb 8). District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia warned that all unauthorised gates erected by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in licensed colonies will be removed.
The crackdown against encroachments follows multiple complaints lodged via the Chief Minister’s Window regarding restricted public movement and delays in emergency response due to these illegal structures.
DTCP officials, accompanied by policemen, while carrying out the demolition also sealed two unauthorised constructions in Sushant Lok 1 and one in DLF 4.
Madholia said, “Several RWAs have illegally installed steel and iron gates on internal roads, controlling access as per their convenience, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.” He said such unauthorised blockades violate urban planning norms and will not be tolerated.
Citing public complaints, the deputy commissioner had earlier ordered that all steel and iron gates installed on internal roads of licensed colonies and Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) sectors must remain open during the daytime to ensure smooth movement and avoid emergency situations.
Authorities have warned RWAs against non-cooperation. “Any gate installed without permission or in violation of policy will be dismantled by the district administration,” Madholia said. Last year, DTCP also wrote to the city police, urging strict compliance with this directive.
As per govt norms, any gate installed on 24-metre-wide roads, sector-dividing roads, or public roads is illegal. Colonies can install boom barriers on internal roads strictly for security purposes, but these must be manned by guards.
While some residents welcomed the move, citing improved accessibility, others expressed concerns about security. “Unauthorised gates were a major hurdle during emergencies, but the govt should also ensure security in these colonies,” a South City 1 resident said.
DTCP has made it clear that the drive will continue across Gurgaon even as authorities have urged residents to report similar violations.
