Eviction threat looms over residents of Chintels Paradiso, Gurugram

Amidst an escalating property conflict, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the residents of Chintels Paradiso, Gurugram. Occupants of towers D, E, and F, Sector 109 have alleged that the developer is terminating their rental contracts and pressuring them to vacate their substitute flats within a week, although the developer denies issuing any formal eviction notice.

These flats serve as temporary accommodation provided by the developer, Chintels India, following the tenants' displacement from their original apartments due to severe structural defects discovered after a vertical collapse at Tower D in February 2022. Inspections conducted by IIT-Delhi experts led to further evacuation from Towers E and F due to similar findings.

According to Vikram Gambhir, a tenant of flat 202 at Tower D, he received an email from the developer stating that since he had not opted for the buyback option, his lease stands terminated, requesting him to vacate the premises within seven days. Gambhir, a senior citizen with multiple health issues and no fixed income, expressed distress at the situation, hinting at possible malevolent intent behind the notification.

In response to the structural flaws, Chintels India proposed two options last month: reimburse homeowners of the three towers at Rs 6,500 per square foot and refund the stamp duty and interior work costs within four months, or repair/reconstruct the towers according to expert recommendations. For the latter option, the developer clarified that homeowners would bear a material cost increase of Rs 1,000 per square foot, and no rent for alternate accommodation would be provided.

However, this decision has left many families in limbo. The society's RWA indicated that of the 180 families displaced from the three towers, approximately half have opted for the compensation offer, while others remain undecided. Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav noted that the developer is obligated to cover the rent until a final settlement is reached, a directive already communicated to them.

Adding to the residents' distress, the district administration has ordered residents of Tower G to vacate within 15 days, citing the Disaster Management Act and Section 144 of the CrPC, following IIT-Delhi's identification of high chloride content in concrete and corroded steel bars. Tower G is the fourth building at Chintels Paradiso deemed unsafe this month, and residents failing to comply with the order may face criminal action.

In conclusion, the challenging scenario has created a pressing need for immediate action and decision-making by both the authorities and the developers. As the residents of Chintels Paradiso continue to grapple with an uncertain future, the struggle between housing rights and safety concerns brings the broader issue of residential construction quality into sharp focus.

This story was earlier published by ET Realty

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Eviction threat looms over residents of Chintels Paradiso, Gurugram

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