GURUGRAM: The occupation certificate (OC) scam in licensed neighborhoods has expanded, as investigations by TOI reveal significant discrepancies between approved documents and actual construction conditions.
Buildings listed as completed on paper are nowhere near ready in reality. For instance, two structures—one in South City-2 and another in Sector 61—were found unfinished, missing plaster, lifts, parking, and essential safety features, despite being declared complete under the self-certification system.
At a site in South City-2, the building showed exposed bricks, unfinished staircases, and no installed lifts. Workers were still plastering interiors, with loose electrical wiring hanging from the walls, even though the structure had been granted an OC. “We just started work three months ago. Interiors, wiring, and fittings are still pending,” a worker stated. Yet, documents reveal the property was declared complete under the self-certification regime, allowing for legal occupancy on paper.
A similar situation was observed in Sector 61, where a four-story building lacked plaster, finishing, a boundary wall, and had incomplete parking along with construction debris scattered around. The stilt area, intended solely for parking, was partly occupied by building materials and temporary sheds.
Residents of nearby houses mentioned that no final inspection by an architect seemed to have occurred. “We were shocked to find out it had an OC. Basic safety features like railings and fire provisions are absent,” commented a resident.
These discoveries align with an ongoing investigation by the district town and country planning (DTCP) department and the CM flying squad, which has identified irregularities in nearly 20 buildings across licensed colonies.
Sources indicate that all 1,500 OCs issued between July 2025 and March 2026 are now under review, with more on-site inspections scheduled. Officials acknowledged that some OCs were issued prematurely, raising concerns of collusion, negligence, or misuse of the self-certification process.
Currently, architects validate completion, while the department only audits 10% of cases through random software selection. This limited oversight appears to create loopholes, allowing violations to go unnoticed.
“The system heavily relies on trust, which seems to have been undermined,” stated a senior DTCP official, who requested anonymity. “If buildings lacking basic structural integrity and safety compliance are granted OCs, it poses direct risks to occupants and undermines the approval system’s credibility.”
Officials have conducted inspections across various licensed colonies, including Ansal Esencia, Anant Raj Estate, South City-1, South City-2, and Sector 61, where numerous stilt-plus-four buildings were evaluated. Teams monitored structures that received OCs via the self-certification route, comparing the actual construction status with the approved documents. Initial findings suggest premature certifications, with several properties discovered to be incomplete or lacking compliance despite receiving occupancy approvals on paper.
District town planner (planning), Gurgaon, Praveen Chauhan, confirmed that the department is cooperating with the CM flying squad’s probe, promising stricter actions to follow. “Preliminary findings reveal serious violations in OC issuance. Any architect issuing certificates without compliance to norms will face blacklisting and further legal consequences,” he stated.
Chauhan added that suspicious cases are being documented, and a detailed report will be submitted to higher authorities with recommendations to address gaps in the self-certification system.
Urban planning experts warn that such practices could have serious ramifications, especially in high-density developments under the S+4 policy. Insufficient checks before occupancy could result in structural weaknesses, fire hazards, and strain on civic infrastructure like water supply, sewage, and parking.
With the Punjab and Haryana High Court already taking a strict stance on the S+4 policy, irregularities concerning OCs may face intensifying judicial scrutiny in forthcoming hearings. The CM flying squad is likely to broaden its investigation, potentially leading to stringent actions such as suspension and blacklisting of errant architects.
As the investigation progresses, Gurgaon’s urban governance framework faces a crucial test. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether accountability is enforced or if systemic gaps continue to jeopardize resident safety.
