Gurgaon: Unauthorised construction by a group housing colony in Sector 110A and around 12 illegal gates and walls blocking internal roads in C and D blocks of Palam Vihar were demolished after locals complained to the authorities that they could not access common areas.The district town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said they had received several alerts about encroachment in public spaces during a samadhan shivir and launched two demolition drives to clear the illegal construction.The first enforcement action was carried out at Mahindra Aura, a group housing colony in Sector 110A under the jurisdiction of Bajghera police station. As part of the drive, violations that were not part of the approved layout plan were identified at the site and subsequently razed, an official said.A second, more extensive demolition drive was carried out in C and D blocks of Palam Vihar, under the jurisdiction of Palam Vihar police station. The department demolished 12 unauthorised gates and walls that had been erected over internal roads of a licensed residential colony.Madholia said the action was taken so that blockages do not restrict emergency access and movement of vehicles.
The action was taken after authorities received several complaints regarding encroachment in common areas
The action in Palam Vihar is significant as unauthorised gates and walls on internal roads can restrict access to common areas and create difficulties for residents, visitors and emergency services. Officials said internal roads in licensed colonies cannot be appropriated or blocked through unauthorised structures.A Palam Vihar resident welcomed the removal of the obstructions, saying the internal roads should remain accessible to all residents and should not be blocked through privately erected gates or walls.However, some residents criticised the move. There was an altercation between officials and some residents of the area, which escalated into a heated exchange of words. They said the demolition took place without any prior notice or discussion. One of the residents who opposed the drive said, “These gates were put up for the security and convenience of residents. Now that they have been removed suddenly, we are concerned about our safety.”Officials, however, maintained that the structures had been erected illegally over internal roads of the licensed colony and could not be allowed to obstruct common access. The department proceeded with the action despite the objections.The two drives follow complaints raised directly before senior district authorities, highlighting the administration’s focus on taking enforcement action on grievances received through public grievance mechanisms.Officials said further action would be taken against unauthorised constructions and violations of approved plans whenever they are identified, subject to the prescribed legal process.
