Gurgaon: The occupation certificate (OC) scam in licensed colonies has widened, with ground visits by TOI exposing a sharp mismatch between approvals and the actual state of construction.Buildings recorded complete on paper are far from ready on site. Two such stilt-plus-four structures — one in South City-2 and another in Sector 61 — were found incomplete, lacking plaster, lifts, parking and basic safety features, despite being declared ready under the self-certification system.At a South City-2 plot, the building stands with exposed brickwork, unfinished staircases and no installed lifts. Labourers were still carrying out internal plastering, while loose electrical wiring hung from walls, even though the structure had already been granted an OC.“We started work only three months ago. Interiors, wiring and fittings are still pending,” said a worker at the site. Yet documents accessed by TOI show the property was declared complete under the self-certification regime, allowing legal occupancy on paper.A similar situation was found in Sector 61, where a four-storey structure had no plaster or finishing, no boundary wall, incomplete parking space and construction debris across the premises. The stilt area, meant exclusively for parking, was partly encroached by building material and temporary sheds.Residents in adjoining houses said no final inspection by the architect appeared to have been conducted. “We were surprised to learn it already has an OC. Even basic safety features like railings and fire provisions are missing,” one resident said.These findings mirror the ongoing probe by district town and country planning (DTCP) department and the CM flying squad, which have flagged irregularities in nearly 20 inspected buildings across licensed colonies.Sources said all of the 1,500 OCs issued between July 2025 and March 2026 are now under scrutiny, with more field inspections planned. Officials admitted that in several cases, OCs were issued at an early stage of construction, raising suspicions of collusion, negligence or misuse of the self-certification framework.Under existing rules, architects certify completion, while the department verifies only 10% of cases through software-based random selection. This limited oversight appears to have created a loophole, allowing violations to slip through.“The system relies heavily on trust, but that trust seems to have been compromised,” said a senior DTCP official, requesting anonymity. “If buildings without basic structural integrity and safety compliance are getting OCs, it poses a direct risk to occupants and undermines the credibility of the approval system.”Officials said inspections were carried out across multiple licensed colonies, including Ansal Esencia, Anant Raj Estate, South City-1, South City-2 and Sector 61, where several stilt-plus-four buildings were verified. Teams focused on structures granted OCs under the self-certification route, comparing on-ground construction status with approved documents. Initial findings indicate a pattern of premature certification, with multiple properties found incomplete or lacking basic compliance despite being cleared for occupancy on paper.District town planner (planning), Gurgaon, Praveen Chauhan confirmed the department is cooperating with the CM flying squad probe and that stricter action will follow. “Preliminary findings clearly point towards serious violations in the issuance of OCs. Any architect found issuing certificates without completion as per norms will face blacklisting and further legal action,” he said.Chauhan added that suspicious cases are being documented and a detailed report will be submitted to higher authorities, along with recommendations to plug gaps in the self-certification system.Urban planning experts warn such practices could have far-reaching consequences, especially in high-density developments under the S+4 policy. Inadequate checks before occupancy can lead to structural vulnerabilities, fire hazards and strain on civic infrastructure such as water supply, sewage and parking.With the Punjab and Haryana high court already taking a strict view on the S+4 policy, OC irregularities are likely to face sharper judicial scrutiny in upcoming hearings. The CM flying squad is expected to widen its investigation, with stringent action — including suspension and blacklisting of erring architects — on the cards.As the probe gathers pace, Gurgaon’s urban governance framework faces a critical test. The coming weeks will determine whether accountability is enforced or systemic gaps continue to put residents at risk.
