MCG starts procedures for official takeover of Gurgaon colonies

The civic body took the initial steps to complete the takeover approved by the state govt six months ago

Six months after the Haryana government approved the transfer of maintenance of five upscale colonies from the development authority to the municipal corporation, the civic body on Saturday took the initial steps to complete the takeover.

Initially, five colonies — DLF phases 1, 2 and 3, and Sushant Lok Phase 1 and Palam Vihar — were to be transferred to the MCG. (Parveen Kumar/HT File Photo)

On February 5, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar ordered the transfer of maintenance of five residential colonies — DLF phases 1-3, and Sushant Lok Phase 1 and Palam Vihar built by Ansal Ltd — from the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) to the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG).

In a meeting attended by civic officials and representatives of DLF and Ansals on Saturday, the MCG directed the developers to submit layout plans, building designs and other details such as road lengths, sewage lines, water pipeline and treatment plants for completing the transfer process.

The government order to transfer colonies had given residents hope of maintenance under one authority, eliminating deficiencies in service. However, six months on, problems prevail. The government agencies and developers continue to pass the buck citing jurisdiction issues when residents approach them with grievances.

Sources said incomplete infrastructure and the need to spend a large sum to improve basic amenities at these colonies are some of the factors delaying the official takeover.

“We will take over maintenance of private colonies after the developers complete their infrastructure work and improve basic amenities provided to residents,” MCG commissioner TL Satyaprakash said.

At the meeting, developers were directed to submit a compliance report listing details of basic functionalities that will help the MCG in assessing the infrastructure deficiencies.

An MCG official said the developers of these colonies have not obtained completion certificates, which will be issued to developers only after they complete construction of community sites and commercial sites in these colonies.

“We are cooperating with the MCG to comply with remaining terms of maintenance transfer and will submit the requisite information they have sought, shortly,” an official of DLF Universal Ltd said.

Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd, however, did not wish to comment on the matter.