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Gurugram is seeing a rampant surge of unapproved guesthouses, covering approximately 145 acres in key sectors. Shockingly, around 1,400 of these illegal establishments continue to flourish, conducting substantial business year-round. This has become a persistent challenge for the authorities.
The Town and Country Planning Department's enforcement unit has conducted surveys, issued stern notices, and even shut down guest houses which were found violating regulations. However, officials admit that these establishments persist by either illicitly breaking seals or obtaining court stays.
State policies governing guesthouse construction stipulate that plots must have a minimum size of 500 square yards and be situated along a 24-meter-wide road or a sector road with a service lane. Furthermore, there's a sector-wise cap of 1.25 acres for guesthouse construction.
Recent data from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) reveals a staggering total of 2,080 guesthouses, both legal and unauthorised, operating within city limits. Approximately 70% of guesthouses operate unlawfully, breaching state government policies.
Despite their illegal status, they've become alternative accommodations for numerous medical, IT companies, and industrial entities in the city's residential zones. Surprisingly, these guesthouses maintain an almost constant 90% occupancy rate throughout the year. The survey data also sheds light on a significant demand for various-purpose rooms, driven by factors like medical tourism, attracting foreigners from different countries.
The genesis of this problem is traced back to 2010 when bed and breakfast (B&B) licenses were issued during the Commonwealth Games. Since then, unauthorised lodgings mushroomed, made worse by the lacklustre approach of enforcement agencies such as HSVP and MCG. Shockingly, despite around 100 licenses issued under the B&B scheme in Gurgaon, many owners transformed their operations into fully-fledged guest houses under the same license.
Two years ago, in October 2020, the department declared its intentions to seal around 1,000 illegally operating guesthouses. Yet, this promised action was never executed, leaving the problem unresolved. The enforcement office has taken decisive actions against these illegal establishments, with some managing to secure stays on their properties through court interventions.
A senior official from the enforcement wing emphasised the DTCP's persistent call to guesthouse owners. They urge owners to submit necessary documents and apply for permission, aligning with the criteria outlined in the new policy.
As the city grapples with the unchecked growth of illegal guesthouses, the spotlight is now on authorities to address this pressing issue and restore order to the city's accommodations.
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