Gurugram: Two years after flats handed over, Vardhman Mantra gets OC

GURUGRAM: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) on Monday issued the occupation certificate (OC) to Vardhman Mantra, a group housing society in Sector 67, providing major relief to about a thousand families.

Launched in 2010, the project is spread over 11 acres and has 1,207 units in 15 towers. The builder had promised delivery of the flats in 2014 but offered it only in 2019, that too with several deficiencies and without an OC.

The absence of an OC meant residents have gone without a permanent power connection and a proper water and sewer system in place. The buyers complained at various platforms, including CM window and DTCP. They alleged the builder had diverted the money to a commercial project — a shopping mart adjacent to the residential area.

District town planner (enforcement) RS Batth said licence no. 69 of 2010 was issued to the builder for developing a group housing society. “There were deficiencies in the project but in the interest of families and homebuyers, the DTCP had directed the developer to resolve the issues. The builder complied and the OC has been granted,” he added.

Batth said the OC had been put on hold due to “several internal issues and deficiencies in documentation”. “Other pending issues, such as permanent water and sewerage connections from HSVP and electricity connection from DHBVN, will have to be taken by the developer before a completion certificate is granted. Till then, it is the builder’s responsibility to arrange these amenities as per government norms,” he added.

Homebuyers, however, flagged several concerns that remain despite the OC being granted. Rajat Arora, a resident, said in the absence of a permanent electricity connection, diesel gensets are being used. “The developer is charging Rs 23 per unit for power through DG sets along with an additional Rs 27 per day through prepaid meters without the consent of the buyers. The maintenance charges are also too high,” he told TOI.

Another resident, Munish Sharma, said each flat owner has given Rs 1.55 lakh for electricity infrastructure but electricity is yet to be regularised. “Moreover, even after paying Rs 3,500 per month, there is no maintenance and only five to seven guards take care of the society. Neither the builder nor the estate manager is ready to address issues related to seepage, basement and security,” he said.

In 2020, the DTCP had issued a notice to the developer for not providing electricity, water and sewerage connection to the residents. Apart from this, the builder has also failed to construct the club despite budgeting it in its plan, the department had said then.