Haryana government launches portal for deficit infrastructure in illegal colonies

GURUGRAM: For thousands of families living in around 500 unauthorised colonies across Gurugram, Sohna, Farrukhnagar, Pataudi and Bhondsi, there may be some relief coming their way as the state government has sought details of deficit infrastructure in these colonies.

On Monday, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched an online portal to seek information on the state of basic civic amenities in unauthorised colonies. Launched with the help of the department of town and country planning (DTCP), the portal can be accessed by developers and RWAs of unauthorised colonies.

If the sources in the department are to be believed, the state government may be planning to regularise unauthorised colonies that are more than 50% occupied and fulfill certain criteria. The final call on the regularisation of unauthorised colonies will be taken by the state government.

A senior DTCP official said data on deficit infrastructure received through the portal till March 31 will be helpful in policy decisions.

While launching the portal, Khattar said the state government is committed towards providing housing and basic amenities to all. People have invested their hard-earned money in buying houses in illegal colonies but were unaware about their legal status, he said. Due to this, they had to face departmental action, which included demolition and sealing, the CM added.

DTCP director KM Pandurang said the government has sought information on deficit infrastructure in the unauthorised colonies. The department will frame guidelines based on the information received on the portal, but the government will take the final call in this regard, he said.

Meanwhile, district town planner (enforcement) RS Batth said demolition drives against illegal colonies will continue. “Illegal colonies that have been razed in the past won’t be allowed to revive and our enforcement team will keep a vigil on such colonies,” he said.