Gurugram MLA Mukesh Sharma met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Sunday to seek the Centre's intervention on three long-pending civic issues that affect lakhs of residents. The key demands included resolving the 900-metre restricted zone around the Gurugram-Faridabad Ammunition Depot, approving a proposed elevated road from CRPF Chowk to Kamdhenu Gaushala, and reopening the Air Force gate between Sectors 17A and 17B.
Impact of the restricted zone on residents
Sharma submitted a memorandum urging the Defence Minister to direct authorities to examine these issues and coordinate with the Haryana Government for early resolution, while ensuring national security remains uncompromised. The MLA highlighted that the 900-metre restricted zone continues to affect nearly four lakh residents living in over 30 colonies in Gurugram and Faridabad. Many have been fighting for decades for legal recognition and regularisation of their properties. Despite having electricity, water, and sewer connections and paying property tax and other government levies, residents face restrictions on development works, property registrations, and statutory approvals.
Legal context and fresh notification sought
Referring to recent observations of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Sharma noted that the earlier notification issued under Section 3 of the Works of Defence Act, 1903, had ceased to be effective. He stated that the Central Government is empowered to issue a fresh notification based on present-day security requirements. Sharma requested the Defence Ministry to undertake a fresh assessment and issue a new notification that safeguards national security while addressing the hardships faced by residents of affected areas, including Sectors 14, 17, and 18, parts of Sectors 5 and 12A, Old DLF Colony, Dharam Colony, Carterpuri, Rajiv Nagar, Sanjay Gram, Sukhrali Enclave, Ashok Vihar Phase III, Sheetla Colony, and the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Temple area.
Elevated road project to ease congestion
Sharma also sought Defence Ministry support for the proposed elevated road along Old Najafgarh Road from CRPF Chowk to Kamdhenu Gaushala. He said the project would ease congestion on Sheetla Mata Road and reduce travel time between the Gurugram Bus Stand area and Dwarka from nearly 90 minutes to around 15 minutes. He requested expedited NOCs and other statutory approvals, besides proposing the appointment of a nodal officer to coordinate with the Haryana Government and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
