DTCP ramps up action against illegal constructions in Gurugram

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) Haryana has moved against illegal constructions on agricultural land on the outskirts of Gurugram. DTCP demolished over 100 farmhouses built on 200 acres of agricultural land in various parts of the city in 2020. The builders target areas like Sohna and Wazirpur to construct illegal farmhouses in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Haryana government policy, the minimum area for low-density farmhouse colonies is 25 acres, but many of these developers built farmhouses on smaller plots of land without permission. The department is now planning to step up enforcement against illegal farmhouses and verify the documents of existing farmhouses in Sohna and other areas, cites RS Batth, the district town planner. Batth claimed that while the officials were busy with Covid-related duties, some builders took advantage of the pandemic and the resulting lockdown to lay a network of internal roads, erect electric poles and construct boundary walls. The builders also enticed potential buyers by portraying the project as a lucrative investment opportunity. He added that the proliferation of illegal farmhouses, particularly in Sohna, is due to low land costs, the presence of resorts and farmhouses in the area, and the scenic beauty and abundance of greenery. Nearly 80 illegal farmhouses were demolished earlier this month in Kiranki village near the Westin Sohna resort in Sohna, which were being developed in two 30-acre colonies each. Image Source Also read: Gurugram demolition drive: 3 illegal colonies razed Also read: Jammu Municipal Corporation demolishes illegal construction