GURUGRAM: A significant crackdown on the misuse of parking areas in upscale residential districts has revealed extensive violations in stilt-plus-four-floor (S+4) buildings. The Department of Town and Country Planning (Enforcement) has identified violations in 1,137 residences across 19 licensed colonies in the city.
Data acquired by TOI indicates that 968 property owners have received show-cause notices, and 18 buildings have been sealed for breaching sanctioned building plans. The Punjab and Haryana High Court will review the matter on May 12, when the department is expected to provide a comprehensive compliance report.
DLF-2 recorded the highest number of violations, with 453 houses breaching stilt parking regulations, followed by DLF-3 with 188, DLF-1 with 169, and Sushant Lok-2 with 122. Other colonies, such as DLF-4 (61), DLF-5 (53), Sushant Lok-3 (37), Sushant Lok-1 (24), and Palam Vihar (12), also reported violations.
Officials noted that inspections revealed stilt areas intended for parking have been unlawfully converted into rooms, offices, and commercial spaces. Various establishments, including guest houses, PG accommodations, and showrooms, were allegedly operating in these areas. Some buildings had reception counters and enclosed lobby spaces within parking zones.
Officials warned that the misuse of stilt areas has exacerbated parking shortages and traffic congestion in residential areas, leading to an increase in vehicles parked on internal roads due to a lack of designated parking.
This issue gained prominence after the Punjab and Haryana High Court halted further stilt-plus-four-floor construction in the city while addressing petitions challenging this policy. Petitioners argued that the city’s civic infrastructure—roads, water supply, sewerage systems, and electricity networks—was not designed to accommodate the surge in housing density resulting from the policy.
The High Court has ordered the Haryana government and DTCP to submit a status report on illegal construction in stilt parking areas and on actions taken against encroachments on roads and public land.
Officials mentioned that the responses from property owners to the notices are currently under review, and further enforcement actions, such as additional sealing operations and legal proceedings, are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) in various affected colonies have voiced concerns over the increasing commercialization of residential areas due to unauthorized utilization of stilt spaces. Residents reported that the conversion of parking spaces into guest houses and PG facilities has led to a rise in visitor vehicles, roadside parking, and congestion on narrow internal roads, especially during peak hours. In some areas, encroachments and chaotic parking have hindered the movement of emergency vehicles.
“Enforcement teams conducted inspections following complaints from residents and directives issued during court proceedings,” a DTCP official stated, emphasizing that property owners found guilty of significant deviations could face restoration orders demanding the demolition of illegal structures and the reopening of stilt areas for parking.
Sources indicate that the department is developing a colony-wise compliance matrix to monitor actions against violators and identify repeat offenders. Civic agencies will coordinate efforts in areas where public roads and green spaces have also been encroached upon.
