Gurgaon: Urban local bodies (ULB) department has ordered an immediate, statewide crackdown on encroachments on road right of way (ROW) and the illegal use of stilt areas, following interim directions from Punjab and Haryana high court in the ongoing case concerning the stilt-plus-four-floor (S+4) policy.In a directive issued on Thursday, the department instructed all municipal corporations, councils, and committees to launch demolition drives targeting ramps, boundary walls, and encroachments on green areas, while also taking prompt action against the misuse of stilt parking.While some cities have responded swiftly, enforcement remains uneven. Municipal Corporation of Faridabad has intensified its anti-encroachment drive, with demolition teams clearing violations across several locations. In contrast, Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon has yet to begin ground-level enforcement despite the April 30 directive.Sources within the civic body said discussions are ongoing, but no concrete action plan or demolition schedule had been finalised as of Thursday evening. The delay has raised concerns, particularly as the city remains central to the high court proceedings and has been specifically flagged for infrastructure gaps.The directive follows the high court’s observations highlighting serious concerns over infrastructure stress, especially in the city, caused by unregulated construction and encroachments on public land.It also mandates strict action against the unauthorised use or enclosure of stilt parking areas in residential plots, which are intended to remain open for parking and emergency access.On the ground, however, stilt areas in several neighbourhoods have increasingly been repurposed for commercial and semi-commercial activities.Residents and officials report a wide range of violations, including makeshift offices, small retail outlets, property dealers’ cabins, gyms, tuition centres, and even temporary warehouses operating out of stilt parking spaces. In many instances, these areas have been enclosed with shutters or glass fronts, effectively converting them into functional commercial units — worsening congestion and reducing available parking.Officials said the directive is part of a broader compliance effort aimed at strengthening the state’s position in court, where the S+4 policy has been challenged over inadequate supporting infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and sewage systems.Alongside enforcement, ULB department has directed all civic bodies to submit detailed data on encroachments, demolition actions, and infrastructure capacity in a prescribed format. The deadline for submission was April 30 (9.30pm), with consolidated reports to be forwarded to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department by May 1 (10.30am).The department has warned that any delay in compliance or reporting will be viewed seriously, as it could weaken the state’s case before the high court.
