DTCP will take over 15 group housing, commercial projects in Gurugram & Rewari

GURUGRAM: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has initiated the process of taking over 15 group housing, IT parks and commercial projects in Gurgaon and Rewari after cancelling their licences.

The licences of the projects, 13 in Gurgaon and two in Rewari’s Dharuhera, were cancelled in January this year after the developers failed to complete or even start them. In 11 out of the 13 Gurgaon-based projects, work has not started yet.

On the directions of DTCP director KM Pandurang, senior town planner Sanjeev Mann has issued a public notice on Monday for the allottees of these projects to submit their claims and objections to the office of district town planner (enforcement).

The department has also requested the Gurgaon deputy commissioner to work out a mechanism for takeover of the land of these projects. In a meeting held recently to start the takeover process, only six out of 13 developers were present, while the others did not turn up.

District town planner (enforcement) RS Batth said as per the notification issued by the department on February 5, 2020, there is a provision for takeover of projects for which licences have been cancelled. As per the provision, the project can either be completed by the state government or through any third party.

Senior town planner Sanjeev Mann said, “DTCP has written to the deputy commissioner for the takeover of these projects and the revenue officials have been directed not to register any unit in these projects.” He also said the developers have been directed to share details related to the projects, including details of sold units and any third party rights.

Earlier, on the directions of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and after complaints received from residents on several platforms, DTCP on February 11 had recommended the cancellation of licence granted to Sare Homes in Sector 92. In December, the department cancelled the licence of a residential plotted colony of Vatika Group for the realtor’s failure to pay outstanding external development charges (EDC) to the tune of nearly Rs 23 crore, despite repeated reminders. In both the cases, the department suggested taking over the colonies and completing pending development work.

In the last five years, DTCP has cancelled the licences of more than 25 commercial and residential projects of different private developers in Gurgaon for a range of reasons, including failing to pay EDC and furnish bank guarantee, not carrying out construction, not renewing licence and not complying with building norms. Most of these projects didn’t take off.