Gurugram Sector 22 residents want developer to return park

Residents said the park was leased out to the developer in August 2014 by HSVP (then Huda) for two years on rent to store construction materials for a project. The residents had protested against the lease agreement but it went through. However, it is yet to be returned to them.

Residents of Sector 22 have written to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), earlier Huda, to reclaim a one-and-a-half-acre park from Ambience Projects and Infrastructure Private Limited and return it to them at the earliest.

Members of the Sector 22 residents’ welfare association (RWA) met HSVP officials last Monday and handed over a letter, alleging that the lease of the park in question expired two years ago, but it is still being used by the developer. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Residents said that the park, close to the Ambience’s under-construction housing project in the sector, was leased out to the developer in August 2014 by the HSVP (then Huda) for two years, on rent, to store construction materials for the project.

The residents had protested against the lease agreement but it went through. However, it is yet to be returned to them.

Members of the Sector 22 residents’ welfare association (RWA) met HSVP officials last Monday and handed over a letter, alleging that the lease of the park in question expired two years ago, but it is still being used by the developer.

“We have met HSVP administrator Chander Shekhar Khare and estate officer Mukesh Kumar and handed over a
letter with the details of the agreement. We have also filed an RTI petition to ascertain if Ambience had paid rent to HSVP. However, our main concern is the restoration of the park to its original condition,” said Bhim Singh, president of the RWA.

Residents said that the HSVP had rented out the park, which was full of greenery, for storing construction material despite their protests. “The construction material has ruined the soil, damaged its fertility and caused irreparable damages,” said Mahesh Singh, a resident.

As per the lease agreement, the HSVP rented out the park at Rs11.25 lakh per acre per year and then for a second year, with a 10% interest. The lease also mentioned that the developer would restore the park to its original condition and return it fully developed.

Raj Singh Gahlot, the chairman of Ambience Group, said, “We have stopped using the park in question. The government can take possession of the same. We paid the amount as per the lease of two years to the government.”

There are 24 parks in the sector maintained by the RWA.

Khare said, “I have received complaints and sought a report from the official concerned in this regard.”