Gurgaon: Department of town and country planning (DTCP) on Thursday stepped up its enforcement drive in Sushant Lok-1’s B Block. DTCP sealed residential properties being used for unauthorised commercial activities and PG accommodation and demolished illegal structures in stilt areas. In all, action was taken against seven properties, including B-681, B-678, B-618, B-568, B-245, B-526B and B-523B.The drive has resumed after eight days, with the last enforcement action having taken place on Sept 30. The drive — covering offices, PGs, a clinic-lab, a storage facility and unauthorised stilt-floor constructions — was led by the district town planner (enforcement). The town planner also referred to Supreme Court’s directions on unauthorised commercial use of residential premises, saying the enforcement drive had been intensified “in line with the court’s orders”. According to the department, an action-taken/status report on such enforcement is also required to be submitted before SC by Nov 23.The drive targeted properties where the use was found to be contrary to the approved residential use. At B-681, the entire building was sealed after officials found it being used for commercial purposes. An office constructed in the stilt parking area was also demolished. At B-678, the team demolished an unauthorised leisure room and servant rooms constructed on the stilt floor. A diesel generator placed in the road right of way (ROW) outside the property was also removed during the action. ROW is a path across private land that the public may use.The enforcement team also sealed three properties being used as unauthorised PG accommodation. At B-618, a 16-room PG was sealed, while another 16-room PG at B-568 was also sealed. At B-245, the department sealed a PG facility comprising 20 rooms. The drive also covered commercial use of basements. At B-526B, a basement being used for a clinic and laboratory was sealed. At B-523B, officials found a godown and commercial storage activity in the basement, following which the premises were sealed.Town planner Amit Madholia said residential properties in licensed colonies cannot be used for commercial activities, unauthorised PGs or other establishments “contrary to their approved use”. He said the department was carrying out regular inspections and would take sealing and demolition action “wherever violations were found”.The latest drive comes amid intensified scrutiny of residential properties in Sushant Lok being used for PGs, offices and other commercial purposes. DTCP officials said inspections and enforcement would continue in the coming days, with PGs, guesthouses, offices and other commercial activities in residential premises being examined for compliance with planning norms. The department has also been undertaking enforcement against unauthorised construction and encroachment in the colony. Officials said action would be taken based on violations identified during inspections as well as complaints received by the department.
