Latest news with #departmentoftownandcountryplanning
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Gurugram seeks policy to audit older group housing units
The Gurugram district administration and the department of town and country planning (DTCP) have sought intervention from higher authorities to frame a policy for conducting structural audits of existing group housing societies, effectively halting the ongoing audit process. Officials said the move follows legal, financial, and procedural challenges encountered during the audits already conducted. In 2022, the Haryana government had directed structural audits following the collapse of a tower at Chintels Paradiso in Sector 109, which claimed two lives. Since then, 15 group housing societies have undergone structural audits, but the process has exposed the absence of a statutory framework to support such inspections. A senior DTCP official said that the district committee overseeing the audits has encountered several legal hurdles. 'There is no statutory framework defining how structural audits of older group housing societies should be conducted, or who is responsible. The process has been constrained by the absence of guidelines about roles, responsibilities, and funding,' the official said, requesting anonymity. The committee has now decided to pause the process and seek a formal policy from the state government outlining procedures, defining stakeholder obligations—including government agencies, builders, and homebuyers—and providing clarity on cost-sharing mechanisms. In one instance, a complaint from a homeowner in a condominium in Sector 104 was dismissed by the committee, which stated it lacked the authority to intervene in builder-buyer disputes governed by individual agreements. The committee noted that disagreements about construction quality or repairs must be resolved through mechanisms outlined in the Builder-Buyer Agreement (BBA). DTCP officials said that audits so far were conducted through empanelled consultants, with costs borne by developers. However, many issues surfaced regarding cost distribution, standard operating procedures, and resistance from stakeholders. While the district had later decided that audit costs for 23 additional societies would be shared equally between developers and homebuyers, the absence of legal backing led to delays and disputes, often stalling the audits altogether. Officials added that while a policy exists for the structural audit of newly constructed societies, an equivalent framework for older societies is urgently needed. In a meeting on May 23, the district committee, chaired by the deputy commissioner, formally recommended that DTCP Haryana frame statutory guidelines to mandate structural audits for existing group housing societies across the state.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Weekly camps & inspections to curb illegal construction in upscale condos in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: The enforcement wing of department of town and country planning (DTCP) will hold weekly camps in upscale colonies of the city from next week to tackle unauthorised construction. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The campaign will begin with Sushant Lok 2 and 3 and gradually cover all major licensed colonies. The move comes amid rising complaints of unauthorised construction and illegal commercial activities in licensed residential colonies. The surge in complaints has been seen through district town planner (enforcement) office, CM Window and public grievance camps. Most complaints involve homebuyers converting stilt parking into rooms, constructing unauthorised structures in open spaces and even building five to seven-storey buildings without sanctioned plans. In several cases, basements were illegally developed or used for commercial purposes. While announcing "a targeted enforcement drive", DTCP officials said they would address residents' complaints, conduct on-the-spot inspections and issue show-cause notices on the same day. The focus areas include prominent colonies such as DLF 1 to 5, Sushant Lok 1, 2 and 3, South City 1 and 2, Malibu Towne, Palam Vihar, Vatika India Next, Greenwood City, Nirvana Country and Bestech Amstoria, among others. After receiving a notice, property owners will be given 15 days to submit a response. If found unsatisfactory or if illegal construction is not removed within seven days after notice expiry, sealing proceedings will be initiated. District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia, confirmed that the department took serious note of illegal extensions, misuse of stilt areas, basement constructions and residential properties being used for commercial purposes like showrooms, restaurants, grocery shops and guest houses. Madholia said, "Every camp will include a planning assistant, junior engineer and assistant town planner. Complaints will be verified on the spot and if violations are found, show-cause notices will be pasted the same day."
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Gurugram: Illegal buildings & walls built on 18 acres razed in DTCP drive
GURUGRAM : Unauthorised structures such as under-construction buildings and boundary walls built across 18 acres in the controlled urban areas of Sohna were demolished in a drive on Tuesday. Developers had allegedly started unauthorised plotting and construction in violation of urban planning regulations in three villages, Karanki, Sancholi and Daulha. Officials from the department of town and country planning ( DTCP ) said the demolition drive is part of a campaign against mushrooming of illegal colonies on prime land in the region. According to officials, 25 illegal structures, road networks and boundary walls were demolished during the operation. In Karanki village, an unauthorised colony spread over 1 acre was cleared. The team razed seven DPCs (damp-proof courses), five ready made boundary walls, and an entire internal road network constructed without approvals. In Sancholi, four illegal colonies spread over 11 acres were demolished. The team dismantled three under-construction structures, nine boundary walls, and road infrastructure. In Daulha village, authorities demolished an unauthorised colony spread across 6 acres, including a 100-metre boundary wall and an internal road network. "Action was taken under the provisions of the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963," said Amit Madholia, a district town planner of the enforcement wing. "We had issued prior notices, but no compliance was observed," he added. Officials noted that illegal plotting not only violates master plans but also leads to poor civic infrastructure and a lack of basic amenities for buyers. Residents are often left in legal limbo, with no access to water, sewage or electricity. The administration has warned developers and landowners against illegal plotting and sales, reiterating that stringent action will continue if rules are violated. Officials urged the public to verify approvals before purchasing any land.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Illegal buildings & walls built on 18 acres razed in DTCP drive
Gurgaon: Unauthorised structures such as under-construction buildings and boundary walls built across 18 acres in the controlled urban areas of Sohna were demolished in a drive on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Developers had allegedly started unauthorised plotting and construction in violation of urban planning regulations in three villages, Karanki, Sancholi and Daulha. Officials from the department of town and country planning (DTCP) said the demolition drive is part of a campaign against mushrooming of illegal colonies on prime land in the to officials, 25 illegal structures, road networks and boundary walls were demolished during the operation. In Karanki village, an unauthorised colony spread over 1 acre was cleared. The team razed seven DPCs (damp-proof courses), five ready made boundary walls, and an entire internal road network constructed without approvals. In Sancholi, four illegal colonies spread over 11 acres were demolished. The team dismantled three under-construction structures, nine boundary walls, and road infrastructure. In Daulha village, authorities demolished an unauthorised colony spread across 6 acres, including a 100-metre boundary wall and an internal road network."Action was taken under the provisions of the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963," said Amit Madholia, a district town planner of the enforcement wing. "We had issued prior notices, but no compliance was observed," he noted that illegal plotting not only violates master plans but also leads to poor civic infrastructure and a lack of basic amenities for buyers. Residents are often left in legal limbo, with no access to water, sewage or electricity. The administration has warned developers and landowners against illegal plotting and sales, reiterating that stringent action will continue if rules are violated. Officials urged the public to verify approvals before purchasing any land.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Gurugram: DTCP carries out demolition drive around Sultanpur park
GURUGRAM : The enforcement team of the department of town and country planning (DTCP) has carried out a demolition drive around Sultanpur park, a Ramsar site. The action led to clearing of three unauthorised colonies spread across approximately 32 acres of prime land in Farrukhnagar area. DTCP officials said the colonies were being developed without necessary approvals in controlled areas, violating the norms set under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963. During the operation, two under-construction structures, 18 damp proof courses (DPCs), three farmhouse boundary walls, one industrial unit and five plot boundary walls were demolished. The entire internal road network laid out to support these illegal settlements was also dismantled. The operation was led by town planner Amit, assistant town planner Anish and junior engineers Naveen, Harshit and Amit. The officials said strict action would continue against illegal builders and property owners "attempting to bypass the legal framework". The demolition was conducted with police support to maintain law and order. The authorities have urged citizens to verify approvals and licences before investing in any property to avoid legal complications. Monitoring of vulnerable areas around Sultanpur and other parts of the city is expected in the coming weeks. Apart from Sultanpur, demolition actions were also taken in other villages, including Farukhnagar, Saidpur Mohammadpur, Khurampur, Karola, Birhera and Alimuddinpur. In total, unauthorised structures spread over nearly 47 acres were removed across different locations during the drives conducted on April 24 and April 26. "The demolition drives send a clear message that unauthorised colonies and illegal constructions will not be tolerated. Protecting the master plans and ensuring planned development is our priority," an enforcement team official said. The drive was part of an ongoing effort to curb illegal colonization activities, particularly around the rapidly developing regions of the city and its outskirts.
