GURUGRAM: DLF 5‘s facility management on Wednesday disconnected sewer and water connections to 81 houses after the department of town and country planning (DTCP) revoked their occupation certificates. The affected properties, part of the economically weaker section (EWS) housing category, cover 60-square-yard plots.
According to DTCP, rampant illegal construction and commercial operations were going on in these units. Many of these homes were converted into paying guest accommodations and guesthouses, leading to increased burden on the basic amenities and infrastructure of the area.
“Illegal constructions and commercial usage have severely strained the infrastructure in all five phases. After DTCP revoked the OCs, we were compelled to disconnect the water and sewer connections for these 81 houses,” stated DLF official. DTCP’s enforcement team, under former District Town Planner Enforcement (DTPE) Manish Yadav, had initiated the action last month.
A petition related to the violations is currently pending in Punjab and Haryana high court, with a hearing scheduled for Jan 10. Authorities are expected to submit a detailed survey report, an action-taken report, and a proposed roadmap for addressing the issue.
Meanwhile, residents staged protests, alleging harassment by the developer, which is accused of clearing space for high-end projects. Demonstrations were held and roads near the under-construction Summit Plaza Mall were blocked as part of the protests.
A protestor, Priti Mishra, even threatened self-immolation. “This removal of water and sewage connections is illegal and should not have happened. People have been living here for the last 15 to 20 years. Where will they go? We will not allow these illegal and unjust actions,” said Mishra.
Department of town and country planning officials stressed on the need to address the adverse impact on essential services caused by unauthorized constructions. They said the action was taken after notices were issued to plot owners asking them to take corrective measures. However, their response was not satisfactory.
“Action has been taken for violating urban development rules and on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court. We have taken action against violations across the five phases of DLF. We will apprise the court in this matter on the next hearing,” said Amit Madholia, district town planner, enforcement.
DLF spokesperson, too, said the action was being taken after serious violations and unauthorised construction was detected by DTCP in the plots meant of EWS families were found.
