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The Municipal Corporation of Panchkula has launched a multi-pronged enforcement drive to tackle illegal hotels, commercial outlets, mobile towers and farmhouses operating without Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions, particularly in its rural belt. A dedicated survey team has been deployed to seal properties until dues are cleared, while demolition notices have been issued to around 45 unauthorised farmhouses hosting illicit parties. The crackdown also includes efforts to recover INR 3.62 crore in pending fees from telecom towers and a push to remove overhead cables and illegal advertising boards. These actions aim to curb unauthorised urban sprawl and reinforce compliance in the city's growing commercial zones.
The civic authorities in Panchkula have intensified their enforcement operations, launching a targeted crackdown on unauthorised hotels, commercial buildings and farmhouses that have been built or are functioning without the mandatory Change of Land Use (CLU) clearances. These actions primarily cover areas in the city's rural belts, where non-compliance with building norms has become increasingly rampant. Advertisement
To address the violations, the Municipal Corporation has formed a special team comprising a building inspector and two assistant programme officers. The team has started surveying these unauthorised commercial properties and is sealing them until the required CLU fees are paid. Officials said that operations will continue in a phased manner and sealing will be enforced wherever dues remain unpaid.
In a parallel move, demolition notices have been issued to nearly 45 farmhouses located along Kot Billa Road. These properties have reportedly been conducting night parties and commercial events in violation of building use regulations. The authorities have initiated legal steps to clear these violations and restore planning discipline in the area.
The crackdown isn't limited to buildings. The Municipal Corporation is also pursuing telecom operators for outstanding dues related to mobile towers. According to local data, Panchkula currently has 341 mobile towers installed across different locations. Of these, 137 towers operated by service providers including Indus, ATC, Jio, BSNL and Airtel are yet to pay CLU and other related fees, amounting to INR 3.62 crore. Notices have been sent, and officials have warned that defaulting towers will be sealed if payments are not cleared within the stipulated time.
In addition, overhead cables used by telecom and broadband companies are being scrutinised. Service providers have been instructed to transition these lines underground. Failing this, the civic body has made it clear that existing overhead cables will be disconnected without further warning.
The corporation has also continued its clean-up of visual clutter by taking down unauthorised advertisement boards and hoardings, especially those placed dangerously near electrical poles and wires. As part of this effort, advertising gantry space worth INR 32.7 lakh has already been auctioned. Another batch of 55 gantries will be made available for online bidding soon.
This is not the first time Panchkula has taken such measures. Last year, a demolition campaign targeted 46 unauthorised farmhouses in the Barwala-Kot Billa area after repeated notices were ignored. Separate directives issued earlier by the Deputy Commissioner also focused on removing encroachments and illegal commercial constructions along major stretches such as Moginand-Naggal Road and pockets in Morni. These drives saw coordinated action by municipal teams, town planning officials, and law enforcement personnel to ensure tighter monitoring and enforcement.
Together, these actions underline the administration's intent to bring all commercial activity especially in rural areas within the legal framework, while creating cleaner, safer, and more accountable urban development zones.
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