Gurugram: Owners de-seal illegal flats, DTCP razes 27 units partially in Palam Vihar

GURUGRAM: The enforcement wing of the department of town and country planning (DTCP) on Thursday partially demolished 27 flats in Palam Vihar area after developers and property owners unlocked these units that were sealed by the authorities and started remaining construction again.

As many as 32 flats, illegally constructed by developers in the area, were recently sealed by DTCP. The violators, however, removed the seals and started construction work again soon after the action.

The department issued warnings to these offenders and again sealed the flats. However, an official said, the flats were again de-sealed in violation of the norms by developers.

Similarly, several properties in DLF-3, Sushant Lok-1 and other areas were also de-sealed by owners despite action by the department.

DTCP, according to officials, is facing an unusual situation after its crackdown on illegal construction in the city. Now to curb the menace, district town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia has launched a demolition drive in illegal flats and sought help from police and the power department in its crackdown against illegal construction. “On Thursday, bathrooms and kitchens of these illegal flats were razed while the remaining areas were locked with chains,” he said.

The department has carried out three sealing drives in C-2 block of Palam Vihar on July 5, September 5 and 27 at properties built with more than one unit on each floor. According to the policy for independent floors, only one unit is allowed on each floor.

“Later, owners of two plots — 1251 and 921 — broke the seals without the competent authority’s permission. A complaint seeking an FIR for tampering with the seals has been sent to SHO, Palam Vihar, but an action is still awaited,” said Madholia.

“It is the third time that offenders are removing the seals. When the team reached the spot on Thursday, a few flats were found occupied, while work was going on in remaining units. The department has written to DHVBN, urging it to disconnect power supply to these properties.