Gurugram takes action in 50 illegal neighbourhoods destroyed in 3 months, reclaiming 550 acres - A real win for legal growth.
The enforcement wing of Gurugram's town and country planning department (DTCP) has taken action against expanding illegal colonies in the region. Over three months, approximately 50 illegal colonies were razed to the ground, spanning 550 acres of prime land in Gurgaon, Sohna, Pataudi, and Farrukhnagar.
District town planner Binesh Kumar exposed 14 illegal colonies in Sohna and Bhondsi, built in violation of the Haryana Urban Development Act, 1975, on agricultural land covering 41 acres. Despite issuing show-cause notices and restoration orders, construction moved on. Through 13 demolition drives, about 150 acres are out of the illegal channel.
DTP Sumit Malik identified 29 such colonies spanning 105 acres in Farrukhnagar-Pataudi. Here also, show-cause notices and restoration orders were major; with 25 demolition operations, there is the liberation of approximately 400 acres. Landowners faced 15 FIRs for their illegal activities. A crackdown against structures in seven other colonies was also undertaken, ensuring no exceptions.
Senior town planner Renuka Singh, in an action taken report sent to Director General TL Satyaprakash, emphasised the importance of these actions against illegal colonies. The objective is to look after their growth and enhance town planning practices in Gurgaon.
The state government's Gurgaon Master Plan 2031 aims to develop new sectors in Sohna, Bhondsi, Farrukhnagar, and adjacent areas. The presence of illegal colonies in these zones hampers these ambitious plans, according to DTCP officials.
These offenders exploit legal gaps to create unauthorised colonies on agricultural land, verified under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975. Section 7A of the Act strictly forbids the registration of sale deeds for plots smaller than 1 acre without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from DTCP.
This violation is considered a punishable offence, with imprisonment for up to 3 years. Consequently, the department actively cooperates with the police to halt the development of such unapproved colonies, ensuring the city's sustainable and legal growth.