Gurugram Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Commercial Operations
The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Gurugram has escalated its enforcement actions against illegal commercial activities within residential properties. On Saturday, authorities sealed approximately 35 floors across 10 different residential buildings in DLF Phase 4, targeting various businesses operating without proper authorization.
This latest drive specifically aimed at residential units being unlawfully used for commercial purposes, including paying guest (PG) accommodations, guest houses, clinics, gyms, spas, cloud kitchens, offices, and showrooms. The DTCP emphasizes that these operations are in clear violation of sanctioned land-use regulations and building norms.
Widespread Violations Across DLF Phases
According to Amit Madholia, District Town Planner, enforcement, the operation is part of a broader directive to address illegal constructions and commercial units throughout residential colonies in DLF Phases I to V. The department has already issued notices to over 5,000 properties across these phases for similar violations, indicating the widespread nature of the problem.
Madholia noted that multiple commercial establishments were found operating within single residential houses, highlighting a systemic disregard for zoning laws. The ongoing actions are being taken in compliance with court directions.
Specific Actions: Sealing and Demolitions
During the recent enforcement drive, several notable properties were targeted:
- An entire 18-room PG accommodation and a 22-room bed-and-breakfast guest house were sealed.
- An illegally constructed office in the stilt area of a guest house was also sealed.
- A car-detailing showroom faced sealing, with adjacent unauthorized constructions being demolished.
- A yoga centre, a clinic, and a hospital, operating from the basement to the third floor of one residential plot, were sealed.
- Another 14-room building was completely sealed due to multiple violations.
- In separate incidents, an office in a basement, a gym on the ground floor, and a cloud kitchen in a basement were all sealed.
In one instance, an owner voluntarily removed an illegal office and a family room from a stilt parking area, restoring the property to its original layout, which averted official action.
Consequences and Future Steps
DTCP officials underscored that sealing a property is a significant penalty, rendering it unusable until the owner completes desealing procedures. These procedures typically involve paying prescribed fines and ensuring full compliance with regulations.
The current crackdown follows earlier actions on Friday, where the DTCP sealed four illegal guest houses (comprising about 50 rooms), an architect's basement office operating without permissions, and eight unauthorized servant rooms in stilt areas. While officials did not confirm any immediate FIRs, Madholia has urged property owners to voluntarily take corrective measures to avoid further penalties.