High Court Suspends Haryana’s 'Stilt-Plus-Four' Policy in Residential Areas
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a significant interim order, restraining the Haryana government from proceeding with its 'stilt-plus-four' policy in residential areas. This policy, which allows for the construction of four-storey buildings, has been a point of contention among environmentalists and residents concerned about the impact on urban infrastructure.
The interim order will remain in effect until the High Court delivers a final decision on a batch of petitions challenging the policy. The court's decision is based on a detailed report from a high court-appointed committee, which inspected and measured the width of internal roads in residential sectors and other licensed colonies in Gurgaon.
The report revealed that the prescribed width of internal roads in Gurgaon's residential sectors is either 10 meters or 12 meters. However, the actual motorable road area available for traffic and pedestrians is only 3.9 meters to 4.8 meters. This significant shrinkage is attributed to various issues, including inadequate infrastructure for sanitation and sewerage, over-population, defective town planning, and inadequate garbage disposal. The report also noted that indiscriminate paving of roads and rampant construction activities are preventing the recharging of groundwater, leading to a further strain on the existing infrastructure.
In its 12-page order, the High Court observed that the concern was the additional burden on the existing infrastructure if the number of floors were to be increased. The court noted that Gurgaon is already on the verge of crumbling due to increased use by a larger population residing on the fourth floor, without adequate infrastructural capacity to support such growth.
The case was brought to the High Court by former Army Chief General V.P. Malik and other environmentalists through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). They challenged the 'apartmentalisation' of Haryana Sahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) developed residential sectors, which allow stilt-plus-four-storey buildings and an increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The petitioners argued that these changes were made without any scientific or engineering study to assess the impact on the environment and without provisions for compensation for any resulting damage.
The High Court's decision is a significant step in addressing the concerns of residents and environmentalists. The interim stay on the 'stilt-plus-four' policy will allow for a more thorough examination of the policy's implications and its potential impact on the quality of life in Haryana's residential areas.
The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the real estate sector in Haryana, as it highlights the need for sustainable urban planning and the importance of balancing development with environmental and social considerations. The High Court's next hearing on the matter is scheduled to provide further clarity on the future of the 'stilt-plus-four' policy and the broader issues surrounding urban development in the region.
