Gurugram's infrastructure stressed by 20,000 new builder-floors in five years

Since the Haryana government permitted the construction of stilt plus four floors in 2017, over 20,000 new floors have been built across Gurugram's residential colonies, significantly straining the city's infrastructure. When these colonies were first developed in the 1990s, the basic infrastructure, including roads, water supply, electricity, and sewerage systems, was designed to accommodate only two and a half floors per residential plot.

Gurugram's population has since doubled, and the number of allowed floors on a residential plot increased to four until February this year. Despite widespread protests from residents' groups, the government granted occupation certificates for approximately 5,000 four-floor buildings in the last five years. However, the infrastructure remains largely unchanged, leading to numerous problems for the city's residents.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) taking over these colonies in 2016 and 2017, but this has not translated into significant infrastructure improvements. Residents of areas such as DLF 1, Sushant Lok 1, Vipul World, and other licensed colonies are grappling with water supply problems, broken roads, overflowing and blocked sewer lines, and poor power infrastructure. Power outages due to overloaded transformers and water shortages have become increasingly common, forcing residents to rely on private water tankers.

The construction of additional floors has also contributed to environmental issues like air pollution, as many plot owners demolish old buildings to build four floors and profit through floor-wise sales. Residents argue that the existing infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demands of the current population and that it would collapse if the government allowed four floors as independent dwelling units without upgrades.

Although the MCG claims to have used Rs 100 crore received from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DCP) for civic work, residents argue that the funds should have been used for infrastructure augmentation. The Haryana Building Code, 2016, allowed the increase in floor area ratio (FAR), and additional FAR charges were meant to be used for infrastructure improvements. MCG commissioner PC Meena stated that the MCG has spent more than the received funds on development work.

Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav asserts that authorities are continuously working to improve infrastructure, focusing on providing sufficient infrastructure to support civic amenities. However, residents remain sceptical of the government's efforts, with some feeling that only small-time builders have benefited from the policy changes.

In response to the situation, the Gurgaon Citizen's Council filed a petition against the DTCP in May 2021, arguing that the policy change for construction of fourth floors increased population density and put stress on the city's already strained infrastructure. Following a Supreme Court ruling banning construction of floor-wise apartments in Chandigarh, residents of Gurugram have called for a similar ban and demanded upgraded infrastructure.

In conclusion, the rapid construction of over 20,000 builder-floors in Gurugram over the past five years has placed tremendous pressure on the city's infrastructure, leading to a myriad of civic issues. The government's attempts to address these challenges have so far been insufficient, with residents demanding a halt to the registration of fourth floors and infrastructure upgrades. It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to these growing concerns and manage the city's infrastructure in the face of rapid urbanization.

Next (Maharashtra environment department finds Bhumiraj Builders guilty of violating norms on Parsik Hill)

Gurugram's infrastructure stressed by 20,000 new builder-floors in five years

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