Gurugram: Handover of colonies by May 31, DLF wants upkeep fees cleared

GURUGRAM: The deadline for the takeover of DLF-1, 2 and 3 has yet again been extended — this time, to May 31. But before that, the developer wants the residents of the three licenced colonies to clear the outstanding maintenance charges of Rs 70 crore, TOI has learnt.

The decision to extend the takeover deadline was taken at a meeting on Wednesday, which was chaired by MCG commissioner Mukesh Kumar Ahuja and attended by DLF representatives. The commissioner will initiate the process by constituting a committee to oversee the takeover process, officials said.

In fact, the Haryana government first announced the takeover of DLF-1, 2 and 3 in 2016, along with the takeover of other private colonies, including Sushant Lok-1 and Palam Vihar.

“DLF is ready to hand over the three colonies, provided the residents settle the outstanding maintenance charges of Rs 70 crore. It was decided in the meeting that a committee will be constituted to verify the deficient works completed as per the detailed project report,” said MCG chief engineer Thakur Lal Sharma.

“The developer has claimed to have spent on the infrastructure and other services for which they want the residents to immediately clear the pending maintenance charges,” he added.

Officials said that an inventory of the infrastructure, including parks, will be prepared first. “The commissioner will constitute a committee, comprising two MCG officials, three DLF representatives, and an official from the department of town and country planning. After completing the necessary formalities, the takeover will be done by May 31,” Sharma said.

While the takeover has been pending since 2016, the discussion on the issue was revived when Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar in October 2021 ordered the developer to complete the deficient infrastructure works by December 31, 2021. The deadline was still not met.

It was followed by a visit of a team of senior MCG officials, including the chief engineer and a superintendent engineer and a councillor. Another deadline of February 15 was given, which was further extended to March 31. “DLF has submitted that they have completed 95% of their deficient works,” added Sharma.

“We have been demanding the DLF handover since 2011. It is finally after all these years that MCG has now decided to take over DLF-1, 2 and 3 by May 31,” said Rama Rani Rathee, councillor of ward number 34.