GURUGRAM: The ongoing demolition campaign in Saraswati Kunj, Sector 53, has entered its second day, led by district town planner Amit Madholia. Over 42 plots have been cleared, and approximately 650-670 illegal shanties have been demolished across 4.2 acres along the Golf Course Road.
Officials reported that the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) plans to conduct further demolitions in the upcoming days as part of a larger initiative to reclaim public land and suppress illegal constructions in Gurgaon’s high-value urban areas.
On Monday, nearly 200 shanties were demolished, spanning 2.5 acres across more than 22 plots near Khatu Shyam Mandir in Saraswati Kunj. With this latest effort, the demolition total over two days has exceeded 850 structures.
According to DTP Madholia, this action is part of a wider crackdown against unauthorized settlements and illegal land occupations in the Golf Course Road area, which is recognized as one of Gurgaon’s most prestigious residential and commercial zones.
This latest demolition drive follows a similar operation on February 21 of this year, where nearly 450 shanties covering around two acres in Saraswati Kunj were dismantled.
Enforcement officials highlighted that the demolished structures were illegally erected on designated land and internal roadways. They noted that numerous complaints had been lodged regarding fresh encroachments and unauthorized construction activities, and notices were issued prior to the demolition.
This large-scale demolition has sparked considerable debate among residents, resident welfare associations (RWAs), and property owners across Gurgaon’s upscale districts. Many are questioning why illegal constructions and unauthorized settlements in other areas of the city remain unaffected. There is a growing demand for uniform enforcement and stricter oversight on encroachments affecting public land and internal roads.
“If the authorities are committed to planned development, similar actions should be applied consistently throughout Gurgaon, not selectively,” commented a resident of Golf Course Road.
Another resident from Sector 53 expressed concerns that illegal settlements were straining civic infrastructure and hampering traffic flow. “Encroachments have gradually increased over the years, negatively impacting road access, sanitation, and security in our area,” they stated.
For over two decades, Saraswati Kunj has been mired in legal and ownership disputes. Established in 1983, it has been at the center of prolonged controversies related to allotments and land ownership.
Authorities noted that a cooperative group linked to the colony allegedly allotted around 9,000 plots in 2004, despite the area being planned for nearly 4,000 homes. Only about 1,500 plots have been allocated to date.
In 2016, the Haryana government formed a commission to investigate irregularities and identify original allottees. Since then, further construction in much of the colony has been limited while disputes are resolved. Nonetheless, officials indicated that unauthorized structures continued to arise without sanctioned plans or required permissions, with encroachments also occurring on government land and internal roads meant for public use.
