Gurugram: DTCP serve notices to commercial units operating from residential houses

GURUGRAM: As many as 40 commercial units operated from 20 residential buildings along Golf Course Road were served show cause notices on Wednesday for building violations.

The enforcement wing of the department of town and country planning (DTCP) served notices on these illegal commercial establishments after an order from the higher authorities.

District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said these residential buildings in lanes A-14 and A-26 of DLF-1 along Golf Course Road were being used for commercial activities, thereby causing loss of revenue to the state exchequer to the tune of several crores of rupees, every year. The department had been receiving several complaints against the property owners who after procuring occupation certificates from the government were making changes in the buildings for commercial activities.

Gyms, salons, showrooms, clinics, educational institutions and others were being run from many residential buildings without permission from the authorities, residents said. They also alleged these activities have resulted in illegal parking and other civic issues in the area.

According to the norms, no commercial activities, barring a few, can be operated from residential buildings. A few activities, which fall under non-nuisance category, are allowed only on ground floors, covering not more than 25% of the area or 50 sqm, whichever is lower. Only to them, “non-nuisance certificates” have been issued. Non-nuisance professional activities are those which are carried out by an individual using his/her personal skills and intelligence.

“The property owners are not following the norms. These buildings have been approved for residential purposes, and running commercial units puts extra load on infra,” said a resident.