Gurgaon: Around 15 days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court reprimanded authorities over rampant encroachments and violations linked to stilt-plus-four (S+4) buildings, the drive to clear roads, green belts, and right-of-way (RoW) areas remains stalled in the city.
Court Orders Ignored
Despite repeated court directions and multiple state-level orders, agencies including HSVP, MCG, GMDA, and DTCP have not resumed coordinated large-scale demolition of encroachments. The matter is scheduled to be heard again by the High Court on May 25, when the agencies may be asked to explain the delay and provide details of the action taken so far.
Widespread Violations
The issue concerns widespread encroachments in residential sectors and licensed colonies, especially in areas seeing a rapid rise in stilt-plus-four-floor buildings. Residents and civic activists have repeatedly alleged that roads, greenbelts, service lanes, and RoW spaces are being illegally occupied for parking, ramps, temporary structures, and commercial use.
On April 16, the additional chief secretary (town and country planning) directed all agencies across Haryana to remove encroachments from residential sectors and licensed colonies. Following this order, DTCP’s enforcement wing carried out a five-day drive in 17 licensed colonies in the city. However, officials acknowledged that in several colonies, teams could not even enter because of resistance from locals. In areas where action was initiated, a major portion of the encroachments remained untouched. No follow-up drive has been conducted since.
HSVP Plans Stalled
HSVP also drew up an extensive enforcement plan for sectors under its jurisdiction. Officials said duty magistrates were appointed by the deputy commissioner’s office, five teams were set up, and police deployment arrangements were completed. The drive was initially scheduled to begin on April 28. It was later rescheduled for the period between April 29 and May 8. Yet, no sustained anti-encroachment action has taken place in the sectors so far.
The delay has raised questions about coordination among agencies and the administration’s willingness to act against violations that have become politically and socially sensitive in several upscale colonies.
Court's Stern Warning
On April 27, the High Court directed the Haryana government to ensure removal of illegal occupations from public roads and RoW areas. The court made it clear that public land could not be allowed to remain under unauthorised occupation. Later, on April 30, the urban local bodies department instructed all municipal corporations, councils, and committees in the state to begin anti-encroachment drives. However, MCG has also not launched any major campaign in the city so far.
With the matter set to return to court on May 25, officials expect the bench to seek a detailed status report from HSVP, GMDA, DTCP, and MCG on the progress of enforcement measures and reasons for the continued delay.
