Gurugram: Residents seek ban on fourth floors in colonies citing infra burden

GURUGRAM: Residents of licensed colonies have demanded a ban on construction of the
fourth floor allowed by the state government through a policy amendment in 2019, citing burden
on the existing infrastructure and civic amenities.
According to residents of DLF areas, Sushant Lok, Ardee City and other colonies, the
infrastructure in licensed colonies and sectors has been built in accordance with the earlier
approval for two and a half floors in each plotted house. With the permission to construct a stilt
area with four floors, the infrastructure has become overburdened and is causing a safety threat
to adjoining buildings, they said.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court banned multi-storey apartments on residential plots in
Chandigarh, following which RWAs in Panchkula demanded a similar ban on construction of
stilt-plus four floors in their areas.
The Gurugram Citizens’ Council, an umbrella body of residents, filed a petition in the Punjab
and Haryana high court last year seeking a restraint on the construction of the fourth floor until
the civic infrastructure is upgraded accordingly. “The next date of hearing is February 23,”
general secretary of TN Kaul said.
With the increasing load on basic amenities due to widespread construction of fourth floors in
residential plots, residents are facing several issues related to water supply, sewerage and
power supply, said Shiv Shankar Rai, a resident of Sushant Lok. “The delay in augmentation of
civic infrastructure by the authorities is adding to our woes,” he further said.
A DLF 1 resident said construction of these floors in the colony is causing pollution too, as most
of the plot owners are demolishing old buildings to build four floors afresh and reap profits
through the sale of each floor.
Praveen Yadav, president of Ardee City RWA, said the infrastructure in plotted colonies is
overburdened. “We expect this to be taken up by the government and policy amendments
made,” he added.