E-Paper
Of 382 illegal city buildings identified, only 1 faces action
Apart from being a hub of swanky high-rises, Gurgaon is also a city of illegal buildings. Dhananjay Jha reports.
Apart from being a hub of swanky high-rises, Gurgaon is also a city of illegal buildings.
According to data provided by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), as many as 382 unauthorised buildings or constructions have been identified in all four municipal zones of the city since February this year.
Though MCG's enforcement wing sent notices to 117 owners after completing a full-fledged hearing, only one building was demolished in Sikanderpur just off MG Road recently.
Structures which have been constructed without getting a building plan approved by the civic body are considered illegal.
"There may be hundreds or even thousand more such constructions across the city which are yet to be identified," said an official admitting severe lapse on part of the MCG especially in terms of enforcement.
Apart from being a strain on resources and causing loss of revenue to the MCG, these illegal buildings are often shoddily constructed and pose a threat to neighbours.
The enforcement wing is the authorised agency to take action against unapproved buildings under Section 261 of the Haryana Municipal Act.
Though MCG was set up in 2008, the enforcement wing came into existence only in February 2011, emerging as a powerful tool to keep a check on urban areas, barring the Huda sectors and private townships. "We are still in the process of hearing the remaining cases. The enforcement wing has demolished one building as 116 owners have sought legal help and the matter is subjudice," said a senior official.
