The Haryana Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) is providing architects the opportunity to explain their issuance of occupation certificates (OCs) for four-storey buildings with stilt parking, which violated regulations. The director has suggested imposing fines of INR 2 lakh for each violation. Hearings will be conducted for 18 blacklisted architects, including Pankaj Kumar and Amit Bhardwaj, who allegedly assisted in these illegal constructions. Some architects have appealed for their registrations to be reinstated, arguing that the guidelines were unclear at the time. In light of these violations, the state government has introduced new compounding rules to prevent future issues.
In Haryana, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) is giving architects a chance to explain their actions after they issued occupation certificates (OCs) for four-storey buildings with stilt parking that violated regulations. The director of the department has proposed a penalty of INR 2 lakh for each infraction. Senior Town Planners (STPs) will conduct hearings for 18 architects implicated in issuing these illegal OCs. Based on the outcomes of these hearings, it will be decided whether the architects' registrations will be revoked or if they can retain them by paying the imposed fines.
Renuka Singh, the Senior Town Planner (STP) in Gurgaon, stated that all legal procedures and investigations would be completed before any action was taken. She noted that on February 23, 2023, the Haryana government had imposed a ban on the construction of four-storey buildings with stilt parking. However, it was reported that several structures in the city had managed to avoid this regulation, having initially received approval for two or three floors but ultimately constructed four. Some architects were reported to have assisted in this by issuing occupation certificates for these illegal constructions. Following the investigations, it was announced that 18 architects had been blacklisted for granting these OCs.
One of the architects made an appeal to the director, clarifying that he had issued the OC for just one building, which had since been cancelled. He admitted to the mistake and noted that he had already cooperated by cancelling the OC. He requested the department to take his record into account and reinstate his registration, assuring that no registrations for any floors had occurred in that building and promising to avoid making the same mistake in the future. Another architect, who had been blacklisted, defended his actions by stating that the department's guidelines had been unclear at the time the OCs were issued. He explained that he had acted in good faith based on the approvals given at that time and expressed that it was unjust to blacklist them now for past decisions.
He also highlighted the need for clearer guidelines in the future to prevent similar issues. The blacklisted architects include Pankaj Kumar, Amit Bhardwaj, Gajendra Kumar, Arun Kumar, Gaurav Singla, Neeraj Dixit, Anuj Yadav, Krishna, Manveer Bhardana, Prabhat Kumar, Puneet Kochar, Ritika Anand, Saurabh Kathuria, Himani Gupta, Vikrant Pundir, Ravi, Rohit Chugh, and Ujjwal Saini. These architects were found to be complicit in issuing illegal OCs in collaboration with builders. In response to the violations related to four-storey constructions with stilt parking, the state government has introduced new compounding rules. The hearing process will allow architects the opportunity to present their case before a final decision is made regarding their registrations.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges within Haryana's regulatory framework for building construction and the responsibilities of architects. As the hearings progress, it is crucial for the DTCP to establish clearer guidelines to prevent future violations and ensure accountability. The architects' appeals underscore the need for a balanced approach, considering both the complexities of compliance and the importance of upholding regulatory standards. The introduction of new compounding rules aims to address these issues, fostering a more transparent and responsible environment for future construction projects. Ultimately, effective communication and strict compliance with regulations will be essential for maintaining the integrity of the construction process.
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