Gurugram: DTCP revokes OC of Ardee Mall for flouting building plan

GURUGRAM: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has withdrawn the occupation certificate (OC) of Ardee Mall and cancelled the licence of Ardee City.

DTCP officials said the developer carried out construction at the mall in violation of the building plan. It also allegedly failed to resolve land disputes and didn’t have complete ownership of the residential colony.

The order, which was issued on Thursday, is likely to affect hundreds of property owners and residents, apart from the sale and purchase of properties in the colony and mall, which collectively cover around 210 acres.

Ardee City and Palm Grove Heights, built across 204 acres in sectors 51, 52 and 57, are the flagship properties of developer Ardee Infrastructure Pvt Ltd in Gurgaon. Around 2,850 families are living in the residential plotted colony and housing society.

DTCP had issued a conditional OC to Ardee Mall, which is spread over 5.1 acres in Sector 52, in June 2020. Officials said additional construction was carried out in the lower basement and lower ground floor in violation of the approved building plan after the OC was granted.

“During a recent inspection, we found some additional structures in the basement and ground floor. The OC has been withdrawn, but the developer has a week’s time to make changes and approach court against the withdrawal if they want,” Batth said.

DTCP also cancelled the licence granted for developing Ardee City on Thursday. The builder was given three licences in 1995, 1997 and again in 2002 for the project. But after DTCP received complaints about disputed ownership of some of the land, it demanded a response from the builder in 2011.

DTCP served a fresh notice in 2019 saying the licensee and its associated companies had failed to submit compliance regarding the clear title of 41.8 acres in their favour.

As per norms, the developer needs to have the ownership and possession of land before applying for a licence on it. DTCP director KM Pandurang said sufficient time was given to the developer to clear the dispute and ensure compliance of the terms and conditions of the licence, but they failed to resolve the land dispute.

Ardee vice-president Anil Hasija said one of the allottees erected some temporary structures in the basement of the mall due to a misconception. “We are resolving the issue and the operation of the mall won’t be affected. We have already taken a stay against the OC withdrawal from the high court,” he said, adding that they are seeking legal opinion on cancellation of Ardee City’s licence.