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Gurgaon Residents protest against the fourth floor

By Rishabh Chamoli | 2023-01-31

A section of Gurgaon residents has approached Authorities with a demand to ban the construction of fourth floors in residential colonies. These floors, as per them, are creating an undue burden on the civic infrastructure of such localities.

Residents of plotted colonies in Gurgaon are asking for a ban on fourth floor constructions. This is because the civic infrastructure was not initially developed to handle many occupants loads. This comes in the backdrop of a new government policy in 2019 allowing registries and construction of fourth floors in residential localities. This issue has picked up significance in the back drop of Supreme Court ruling against floor wise registration in Chandigarh.

What was the 2019 amendment of the policy on floors constructed on plots?
As per the Haryana governments earlier housing policy, two and a half floors could be built by the plot owner in licensed colonies. However, in 2019, the State government amended the policy to allow the construction of up to four floors with a stilt area reserved for parking.

What are the chief concerns of the residents in Gurgaon?
The residents of licensed colonies in Gurgaon have pointed out safety issues in adjoining buildings as a concern. But the primary issue, as per them, is the civic amenities, like roads, parks, and electricity infra, which was not designed initially for so much population and density. There have also been concerns related to water supply in some areas. Some residents have also complained about rising noise and air pollution levels due to the ongoing construction works across the city.

What are the residents doing to create awareness about this issue?
Citizens are approaching various forums to get a remedy for this issue and have approached the government as well. A residents association, Gurugram Citizens Council, has filed a plea with the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They have asked for a halt to fourth floor constructions until issues of the infrastructure of colonies are also upgraded as per expected demand. Haryana State HUDA Sectors Confederation (HSHSC), a collective of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and citizens associations, also held a meeting recently in Panchkula against indiscriminate construction of fourth floors in residential sectors across Haryana.

Several plot owners in Gurgaon are selling off their old houses by constructing floors and reaping decent profits. In Gurgaon, builder floors are witnessing huge demand and supply. However, some residents concerns regarding infrastructure being flagged are also serious and need redressal.