Gurgaon: Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has initiated a statewide data-gathering exercise on infrastructure capacity, encroachments and fund utilisation following an interim order by Punjab and Haryana High Court on the stilt-plus-four-floor (S+4) policy.In a memo issued on Wednesday, the department directed key urban agencies — including metropolitan development authorities, municipal corporations, HSVP, HSIIDC and other urban local bodies — to submit detailed reports by 10.30am on May 1, ahead of the next hearing on May 4.Urban planners said the exercise could have far-reaching implications for residential densification policies in the state. “The court is examining whether infrastructure is keeping pace with policy decisions, and this data will be crucial,” a senior department official said.The directive stems from a 2024 PIL challenging the construction of S+4 floors on residential plots. At the core of the exercise is an assessment of whether existing civic infrastructure — including roads, sewage systems, water supply and parking — can support the higher density allowed under the policy.According to the memo, the high court’s order on Monday specifically refers to areas such as Sector 28 and DLF Phase 1, while also clarifying that earlier directions applicable across the state will remain subject to the final outcome of the petition.Officials said authorities have been allowed to proceed with the removal of encroachments and violations in line with municipal norms, though the court has emphasised that its interim directions are prospective in nature.Following a high-level meeting chaired by DTCP additional chief secretary Anurag Agarwal, the department has sought granular data under multiple heads. These include funds collected and utilised under external development charges (EDC) and proportionate development charges (PDR), timelines for the use of pending funds, and additional financial requirements for infrastructure augmentation.In a key administrative step, approvals for S+4 floors have also been halted by disabling submissions on relevant online platforms, including the S+4 portal and the HOBPAS system.Agencies have further been asked to furnish details of infrastructure capacity studies conducted across towns and cities, along with future planning frameworks.Significantly, DTCP has sought extensive data on encroachments on the right of way (ROW) and unauthorised use of stilt areas. Authorities have been asked to submit colony-wise details of demolition drives, types of encroachments removed, road lengths cleared, and photographic evidence. Separate formats have been prescribed for reporting violations in stilt parking areas, including actions such as sealing, demolition and issuance of show-cause notices.Officials indicated that the compiled data will be presented before the high court to demonstrate compliance and help inform future policy decisions.Residents’ groups, particularly in older sectors, have long raised concerns over congestion, parking shortages and strain on civic infrastructure due to rapid vertical expansion.
