The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Gurgaon has taken action against the installation of diesel generator (DG) sets by private house owners in right of way areas, green belts, and parks across DLF colonies. This move has sparked concerns about encroachment in public spaces.
Notice Issued to DLF City RWA
District Town Planner (Enforcement) Amit Madholia has issued a notice to the DLF City Residents Welfare Association (RWA), directing it to furnish records of approvals for the installations. The matter came to light after an anti-encroachment drive conducted in April, following a public interest litigation pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Required Documents
Authorities have asked DLF City RWA for several documents, including:
- Land-use permissions
- Approval from the District Town Planner
- No Objection Certificates from the fire department
- Consent or clearance from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board
- Permissions from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) or other competent electricity authorities
RWA Communication to Societies
In response, DLF City RWA issued a public communication on Tuesday to residential societies, block RWAs, institutions, and generator operators, asking them to submit all relevant approvals within 15 days. The RWA stated that the documents are required to compile a response and submit it to the planning department within the stipulated timeline. If they fail to do so, the matter will be forwarded to the concerned authorities based on available records.
Scrutiny and Penalties
Officials indicated that a detailed scrutiny of the installations, including their location, capacity, and statutory clearances, is likely to follow. "If satisfactory replies or valid documents are not furnished, action will be taken as per rules without any further notice," Madholia said. This exercise is expected to bring renewed focus on the use of public spaces for utility infrastructure and compliance with planning and environmental regulations in Gurgaon's residential neighborhoods.
Resident Concerns
However, the move has triggered concern among several residential communities in the DLF area, many of which rely on large diesel generators for power backup during outages. While residents supported regulatory compliance, some expressed concern that any action against existing installations should not affect essential services without viable alternatives in place. "The authorities are right in seeking permissions and ensuring that public spaces are not misused. At the same time, these generators provide critical backup during power disruptions, especially in high-rise residential complexes. Any decision should balance compliance requirements with the practical needs of residents," said a DLF resident, requesting anonymity.
Next Steps
Officials said the information being collected from RWAs, societies, and institutions will help determine whether the installations conform to planning, environmental, and safety norms. The DTCP's action underscores a broader effort to regulate encroachments and ensure adherence to regulations in Gurgaon.
