Sohna: Built without nod, Nature Valley colony razed by DTCP

GURUGRAM: A farmhouse colony being carved out on 50 acres of agricultural land in Sohna was razed by the town and country planning department on Thursday.

The builder, who was developing the colony under the project name ‘Nature Valley’ in Kiranki and Bhogpur villages of Sohna, had already constructed boundary walls, guard rooms, road network, light poles and other amenities and was planning to sell the farmhouses built on one-acre land .

According to complainant, the developer carried out construction, laid roads and erected electricity poles, but cables are yet to be connected. He was planning to sell farmhouses and had even constructed a sample farmhouse to woo the investors, he said.

District town planner (enforcement) RS Batth said the builder had no permission from any department for developing farmhouses. And as per norms, developing farmhouses without permission is equivalent to developing illegal colonies.

During an investigation, it was found that the developer was misleading the investors by concealing the facts regarding permissions and approvals. It was also found that the developer was promoting the illegal farmhouse colony through social media to lure the investors.

The officials said the team razed three farmhouses, road network, boundary walls and guard rooms with the help of earthmovers in presence of police officers. “The department is getting details about the builders and will recommend for FIR against them. Even if the farmhouses have been sold, the department will get details from revenue department and lodge complaint against the wrongdoers,” the official said.

TOI in its report published on Wednesday had mentioned that the illegal farmhouses in Sohna are under DTCP’s radar and are likely to face action this week.

Now following complaints regarding spike in illegal farmhouse colonies in violation of Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act and strict directions from DTCP chief, the enforcement team began razing of illegal structures on Thursday. In June, the department had conducted a demolition drive in adjoining area and razed another illegal farmhouse colony.