Gurgaon: The town and country planning department (DTCP) recently carried out a demolition drive to dismantle illegal farmhouse colonies in various villages. The crackdown included the razed colony of 25 illegal farmhouses on 50 acres in Kiranki village in Sohna, as well as two more farmhouse colonies in Bilaspur and Sidhrawali villages. These colonies were found to have no permissions from competent authorities and were in violation of established norms.
To curb the proliferation of illegal farmhouses and promote sustainable development, the DTCP revised its policy for developing low-density, eco-friendly colonies. According to the new policy, builders are allowed to construct farmhouse colonies on land spanning up to 25 acres in Gurgaon, 15 acres in Sohna, and 10 acres in Pataudi and Farukhnagar.
In a concerted effort to combat illegal farmhouse colonies, the DTCP has ramped up its actions with the assistance of two additional district town planners. Binesh Kumar, the district town planner (enforcement), reported that the team involved in the operation in Kiranki village demolished not only 25 farmhouses but also six under-construction structures and a nearly 2,700-meter road network.
Additionally, Manish Yadav, another district town planner (enforcement), stated that in Bilaspur and Sidhrawali villages, the team demolished various structures, including an illegally-built dhaba, a swimming pool, two warehouses, the colony boundary wall, entrance gate, a property dealer’s office, residential quarters, and offices.
During the demolition drive, Yadav urged individuals not to invest their savings in such illegal colonies, emphasizing that all unauthorized settlements would be eradicated and legal actions would be taken against the offenders. Notably, a dedicated police station in Sushant Lok 2 has been established to handle complaints related to building norm violations filed by the department.
So far, the DTCP has recommended filing FIRs (First Information Reports) against 100 property owners in DLF 1 and 2, Sushant Lok 1 and 2, and South City 1 and 2 for violating building norms and illegally utilizing their properties for commercial purposes without acquiring necessary permissions.
The police have already filed FIRs against 30 of the aforementioned property owners. The authorities are committed to taking stringent action to address these violations and maintain the integrity of the region’s development regulations.
By adhering to these guidelines, the town and country planning department aims to rectify unauthorized constructions and ensure that Gurgaon’s growth aligns with sustainable practices. The crackdown on illegal farmhouses is essential to maintain the city’s urban planning integrity and preserve the balance between development and environmental sustainability.
