Two weeks after the Haryana government reinstated the S+4 floor policy, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice to the government and relevant authorities in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Sushant Lok resident. Petitioner Sunil Kumar Singh claims that permitting four-storey buildings in Gurgaon, without adequate infrastructure, threatens the city's overall welfare. A hearing for both the PIL and a stay application, which seeks to pause further approvals, is set for October 23. Singh points out that the government ignored previous recommendations for infrastructure audits, raising alarms about the potential decline of Gurgaon's liveability.
Two weeks after the Haryana government reinstated the S+4 floor policy, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the government, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), and the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran, requesting their responses to a petition that challenges this decision. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), submitted by a Sushant Lok resident, questions the construction of four-storey buildings with stilt parking in Gurgaon.
Petitioner Sunil Kumar Singh contends that the state government's decision to allow these constructions, despite insufficient infrastructure, is harmful to the city's overall welfare. On Thursday, a bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu heard the PIL, with senior advocate Meet Malhotra representing the petitioner. The bench has also agreed to consider a stay application included in the petition, which requests an immediate halt to any further approvals for four-floor constructions. The hearings for both the PIL and the stay application are set for October 23.
In his petition, Singh emphasises that the Haryana government had initially established an expert committee to evaluate the feasibility of four-floor buildings in cities like Gurgaon, which are already facing infrastructure challenges. The committee advised that an audit of the city's infrastructure, including drainage, waste management, roads, and public utilities, should be conducted before allowing any new floor constructions. Nonetheless, the state reintroduced the four-floor policy on July 2, 2024, without addressing these issues.
The petition contends that Gurgaon's infrastructure is already overwhelmed, experiencing frequent issues such as overflowing sewage, inadequate waste disposal, poor drainage, and deteriorating roads. It claims that the city's electricity and water supply systems are under considerable pressure, and the situation will worsen if additional multi-floor buildings are constructed without necessary infrastructure enhancements. The petitioner cautions that unchecked development could eventually lead to Gurgaon becoming an "urban slum," adversely affecting the quality of life for all residents.
In addition to the PIL, the Gurugram Citizens' Council and another petition have raised concerns about the four-floor policy. These cases are expected to be heard alongside Singh's petition. The petitioner's legal counsel has urged the court to immediately stay the state's July 2 notification that reopened approvals for four-floor buildings. According to the petition, the DTCP has begun approving new construction plans, overlooking the infrastructure issues highlighted by both residents and the expert committee.
The ongoing legal proceedings underscore significant concerns regarding urban planning and infrastructure in Gurgaon. As the High Court prepares to hear the petitions, the implications of the S+4 floor policy could have far-reaching effects on the city's development trajectory. With infrastructure already strained, the potential for further deterioration raises urgent questions about the government's responsibility to its residents. The outcome of these hearings may set a precedent for future construction policies, emphasising the need for comprehensive infrastructure assessments before allowing high-density developments. The court's decision will be crucial in determining Gurgaon's path toward sustainable urban growth.
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