Gurgaon: Construction activities on EWS plots in Sushant Lok-1 have raised questions over compliance with sanctioned building plans and enforcement of development norms. Five- to six-storey buildings on the 60-square-yard plots in C Block are violating the prescribed stilt parking-plus-four-floor configuration. Besides, construction in mandatory setbacks and conversion of parking areas into rooms and offices are adding to the violations.C Block has an estimated 700-800 plots measuring 60 square yards, of which more than 500 have been constructed upon. Constructing five- to six-storey buildings on 60-square-yard plots constitutes a serious violation of building regulations and poses significant safety risks. A building setback is the legally required open space between a building and the property boundaries, roads, or nearby water bodies.In C Block, the unauthorised construction and use of residential premises for paying guest (PG) accommodation have also intensified pressure on parking and civic infrastructure in the licensed colony. Additional floors in several buildings have been divided into one-room-kitchen (1RK) units and are being used for PG accommodation, increasing the number of occupants in the compact residential properties.Setbacks, which are required to remain clear under applicable building plans, are also being built upon in several properties. Such violations reduce open space around buildings and can affect access, ventilation and the planned layout of the colony. In some properties, areas designated for stilt parking have been converted into rooms and offices instead of being retained for vehicle parking. With parking space inside buildings reduced, vehicles spill onto internal roads, adding to congestion and disputes among residents over available parking.The conversion of residential properties into multiple 1RK units and PG accommodation has also increased the demand for water, sewerage and other civic services. Residents face the prospect of further pressure on infrastructure as additional floors and accommodation units increase the number of people living in the block.The situation recalls violations in DLF-3, where buildings on 60-square-yard plots have reached eight to nine storeys. The developments in Sushant Lok-1 underline the challenge of preventing unauthorised additions and misuse of residential premises in licensed colonies.“Action against properties violating the norms is continuing. After sealing action in A and B blocks, we will soon initiate action against unauthorised construction and commercial activities in C Block as well,” district town planner Amit Madholia told TOI. The proposed drive will bring C Block under the department’s enforcement focus, with unauthorised construction and misuse of residential premises among the issues to be examined.Developed by Ansal in the 1990s, Sushant Lok-1 spans around 605 acres and comprises A, B, C, D and E blocks. The colony has more than 3,000 plots, with construction completed on over 70% of them. The growing prevalence of builder floors and PG accommodation has added to the pressure on residential infrastructure.The department of town and country planning has surveyed licensed colonies for unauthorised construction and commercial activities in residential premises following Supreme Court orders. Around 490 property owners in Sushant Lok-1 have been issued notices, and restoration orders have been passed in several cases. More than 50 houses in A and B blocks have been sealed and demolition action has been taken against violations involving stilt parking.
