Illegal construction persists in Aravalis near Gurugram
Real Estate

Illegal construction persists in Aravalis near Gurugram

Despite Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders to remove illegal structures in the protected Raisina hills of the Aravalis, ongoing construction activity persists. A recent visit by TOI revealed the construction of new boundary walls, land clearing, and borewell digging. These actions are in violation of the 1992 Aravali Notification, which strictly prohibits construction and tree felling without permission in protected areas.

The area in question is in close proximity to Ansal Aravali Retreat, where illegal construction continues despite multiple NGT rulings. The lack of action by the district administration has allowed for the emergence of new plots, boundary walls, land levelling, and fencing in the Aravalis.

Local residents have reported ongoing construction on approximately five to six plots, along with several borewells being dug and roads being laid. Recent amendments to forest conservation norms have increased land prices, attracting numerous prospective buyers to the area.

Col SS Oberoi (retd), an environmentalist, expressed concern over the encroachment in the Aravalis and the failure of the district administration to take action, despite court orders. In December of the previous year, NGT had instructed the Haryana and Rajasthan governments to establish a monitoring committee to oversee the removal of encroachments and illegal construction in protected Aravali regions in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, and Alwar.

In 2018, NGT mandated the restoration of all protected Aravalis in Gurgaon and Faridabad. Although the Gurgaon district committee issued show-cause notices to property owners in 2020, areas covered by the Aravali Notification are yet to be restored as forests.

In 2021, the Sohna Municipal Council demolished approximately 30 structures in the region. In 2019, around 195 show-cause notices were issued to farmhouse owners for unauthorised construction in the Aravalis, primarily in the Ansals Aravali Retreat area.

Despite Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders to remove illegal structures in the protected Raisina hills of the Aravalis, ongoing construction activity persists. A recent visit by TOI revealed the construction of new boundary walls, land clearing, and borewell digging. These actions are in violation of the 1992 Aravali Notification, which strictly prohibits construction and tree felling without permission in protected areas.The area in question is in close proximity to Ansal Aravali Retreat, where illegal construction continues despite multiple NGT rulings. The lack of action by the district administration has allowed for the emergence of new plots, boundary walls, land levelling, and fencing in the Aravalis.Local residents have reported ongoing construction on approximately five to six plots, along with several borewells being dug and roads being laid. Recent amendments to forest conservation norms have increased land prices, attracting numerous prospective buyers to the area.Col SS Oberoi (retd), an environmentalist, expressed concern over the encroachment in the Aravalis and the failure of the district administration to take action, despite court orders. In December of the previous year, NGT had instructed the Haryana and Rajasthan governments to establish a monitoring committee to oversee the removal of encroachments and illegal construction in protected Aravali regions in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, and Alwar.In 2018, NGT mandated the restoration of all protected Aravalis in Gurgaon and Faridabad. Although the Gurgaon district committee issued show-cause notices to property owners in 2020, areas covered by the Aravali Notification are yet to be restored as forests.In 2021, the Sohna Municipal Council demolished approximately 30 structures in the region. In 2019, around 195 show-cause notices were issued to farmhouse owners for unauthorised construction in the Aravalis, primarily in the Ansals Aravali Retreat area.

Next Story
Resources

Skyview by Empyrean is Making Benchmarks in the Indian Ropeway Industry

FIL Industries Private Limited, the parent company of Empyrean Skyview Projects that pioneered ropeway mobility solutions in India with Jammu’s Skyview Gondola, is currently developing the Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway and is on track to complete Phase I by September 2026. The ropeway is set to be India’s longest passenger aerial monocable covering 5.8 km between the foothills of Dehradun in Purkulgam and MDDA taxi stand in the hills of Mussoorie in just under 20 minutes. The firm pioneered green mobility solutions in India with the development of the flagship Skyview Gondola in Jam..

Next Story
Technology

Creativity is for Humans, Productivity is for Robots!

On most construction sites, the rhythm of progress is measured by the clang of steel, the hum of machinery and the sweat of thousands. But increasingly, new sounds are entering the mix: the quiet efficiency of algorithms, the hum of drones overhead, and the precision of robotic arms at work. Behind the concrete and cables, an invisible force is taking hold: data. It is turning blueprints into living simulations, managing fleets of machines, and helping engineers make decisions before a single brick is laid. This is not the construction of tomorrow; it is the architecture of today – built on ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Bhartiya Urban Unveils ‘Bhartiya Converge’ GCC Enablement Platform

Bhartiya Urban has launched Bhartiya Converge, its latest business venture designed to become India’s premier platform for enabling Global Capability Centres (GCCs). The initiative offers an integrated ecosystem aimed at helping global clients gain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Focused on enhancing turnaround time and operational efficiencies, the company seeks to deliver better business outcomes powered by top-tier talent. Bhartiya Converge presents a customised and integrated suite of microservices that addresses the nuanced and evolving operational..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?