Gurgaon: Supreme Court has sharply escalated its scrutiny of urban planning violations in the city.The apex court, in its July 9 order, warned that MCG and GMDA could face direct consequences if final demolition orders against illegal structures continue to remain unenforced.While ordering the personal appearance of the MCG commissioner and the GMDA chief executive officer, SC observed that despite demolition orders attaining finality in several cases — particularly in parts of the city — authorities failed to execute them.The matter will next be heard on Aug 4, when SC is expected to review compliance reports from the cities.The bench cautioned that if the situation remains unchanged by the next hearing, it would fix personal responsibility on the municipal commissioner and the chief executive officer concerned.The latest warning comes after the court earlier noted reports indicating that nearly 93% of establishments in the city were allegedly non-compliant with fire safety norms.Consequently, it directed the personal appearance of the MCG commissioner and the GMDA chief executive officer with reports explaining the actual enforcement measures taken on the ground.The bench also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as “face-saving exercises” by authorities, observing that action has largely been confined to builders and property owners while officials responsible for allowing violations to flourish have largely escaped accountability. It said future reports should specifically identify disciplinary action initiated against erring officers.The court has indicated that failure to demonstrate tangible action could invite contempt proceedings and direct accountability of senior civic officials.The court’s warning assumes significance for the city, where civic agencies have in recent weeks intensified demolition and sealing drives against illegal commercial establishments and unauthorised constructions following repeated judicial scrutiny.However, the bench indicated that enforcement has not matched the gravity of the violations. “It has also been pointed out that in many areas, especially in certain localities of the city, orders for demolition of unauthorised/defaulting structures have attained finality, yet remain unimplemented,” the court recorded.It observed that if the position remains unchanged on the next date of hearing, “personal responsibility shall be fastened on the commissioner/chief executive officer concerned.”Responding to the SC observations, GMDA said directions have already been issued to the concerned departments, including HSVP, the department of town and country planning, MCG and HSIIDC, for necessary action.GMDA said it has been carrying out periodic drives to remove illegal constructions and encroachments from its green belts and other land under its ownership.District town planner RS Baath, GMDA, and nodal officer (enforcement) said, “Before the next date of hearing, GMDA will prepare and file a detailed status report on the action taken before SC.”The observations form part of the SC’s continuing nationwide monitoring of illegal constructions, unauthorised land-use changes and enforcement failures by civic authorities.The matter is being heard in the Loganathan case, which has evolved into a broader examination of widespread violations of municipal laws and building regulations across the country.
