Illegal construction: Gurugram and Rohtak do emerge on top

Be it the rule of BJP or Congress or any previous government in Haryana, Illegal construction has always been a matter of serious concern necessitating the system to tighten the noose around the neck of those involved in the same. Despite the tall claims of the state government of taking stringent action against illegal construction, illegal colonies, and encroachment, the situation remains more or less the same as such cases continue to surface. In this regard, it has come to light that in a period of about five and a half months, the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau (HSeNB) has lodged an average of more than 30 FIRs every month while taking action against illegal construction in Haryana. It is pertinent to mention that most of the cases of illegal construction are reported in the districts of Haryana falling in the National Capital Region (NCR), which needs to be controlled. On the other hand, the working style and casual approach of departmental officers in cases of illegal construction have been under question several times. In the wake of the FIR lodged by the Enforcement Bureau regarding illegal construction, it can to fore that the Gurugram district of Haryana adjacent to Delhi emerges on the top in terms of illegal construction as out of the total cases, around 40 percent have been registered in Gurugram alone.

Official data depicts that the Enforcement Bureau registered a total of 273 FIRs while taking action against illegal construction during the period from July 17, 2023, to December 31, 2023. A many as 107 FIRs have been registered regarding illegal construction in Gurugram alone, which clearly shows that illegal construction is at its peak in Gurugram. Further, Rohtak district which also falls in NCR occupies the second position with 57 FIRs followed by CM city Karnal, Kurukshetra, Bhiwani, Ambala, Charkhi Dadri, and Yamunanagar with 34, 14, 13, 8, 7 and 7 FIRs while 6 FIRs in Kaithal, 5 in Jhajjar, 5 in Hisar, 4 in Panipat and 4 in Faridabad have been registered.

While reacting to the matter, AS Chawla, ADGP and HSENB, Chief said that continuous drives are being conducted at regular intervals to tighten the noose around those involved in illegal construction. Anyone involved in illegal construction will not be spared under any circumstances and illegal constructions are not only being demolished but FIRs are also being filed against those doing so.

Apart from aforementioned, the information received revealed that as many as 138 drives were conducted by the Enforcement Bureau in a period of five and a half months regarding encroachment in which illegal construction was demolished. Of these, maximum 28 demolition drives were conducted in Ambala while 24 in Gurugram. Apart from these, 19 drives in Rohtak, 13 in Kaithal, 12 in Nuh, 12 in Hisar and 7 d in Jind, 5 in Faridabad, 5 in Bhiwani and 2 conducted while remaining 4 drives were conducted in Palwal, Sonipat, Fatehabad and Rewari, one each. Besides, the alleged involvement of the officials as well as the politicians pertaining to the same has always been in discussions.

The interference by public representatives in taking action against illegal constructions is not a new thing and due to this, illegal construction is going on indiscriminately in the state. Especially small and big builders are carrying out illegal construction without getting the map passed and then when questions arise about this, then the leaders play a further role. It is worth mentioning that recently questions were raised on the policy made by the Haryana Government to legalize illegal constructions and the Punjab-Haryana High Court sought a reply from the Haryana Government on a PIL challenging it. It has also been made clear that whatever construction will be valid will depend on the decision on this petition. While filing the Public Interest litigation (PIL), Krishna Lal Gera informed the High Court that people have encroached upon the public land by constructing illegally. Neither the building bylaws nor the parking policy are taken into account during construction. The High Court and the Supreme Court have also been issuing orders against this from time to time. Despite all this, the government issued a notification on 26 June 2018 announcing the legalization of illegal constructions. Fees have been fixed for this.