Curation Team
GURUGRAM: Fifty-one illegally installed gates across 11 residential blocks were dismantled on Friday in a demolition drive conducted by the district town planner (enforcement) team in South City-1. An official said the next demolition drive will be conducted in DLF-2.
Acting on a series of complaints by residents and educational institutions, department of town and country planning (DTCP) moved swiftly to restore access to internal colony roads that were illegally blocked for years.
Current planning norms allow only boom barriers — not gates — on internal roads of licensed colonies and even then, under specific conditions. Gates can be installed only at the main entrance on 24-metre-wide roads, with strict requirements for 24×7 security personnel and CCTV surveillance. None of these conditions were met in South City-1, according to the enforcement team.
Led by town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia, the demolition team used earthmovers to take down gates that were set up without prior departmental approval across nine-metre- and 12-metre internal roads in blocks C through M. Officials said the gates were originally erected for security reasons, but over time became permanent obstructions — many of them were locked during night hours and in some cases, never opened at all.
“These gates were turning into safety hazards, especially during medical emergencies or fire incidents when alternative routes became inaccessible,” Madholia said, adding, “Residents complained about long detours and permanent closures.”
During the operation, DTCP also removed encroachments found outside residential plots. One Vita milk booth that took over a section of the public road was cleared on the spot.
The demolition followed directives issued in a recent task force meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner (Gurgaon), where the problem of unauthorised gates was flagged as a major civic concern.
The DC, also chairman of the gate approval committee, tasked local SHOs with ensuring that no gate remains permanently shut and that only approved security structures are maintained with proper staffing.
With civic norms blatantly flouted, officials have vowed continued action against such violations. “This is not a one-time drive. Similar operations will be conducted in other colonies if illegal gates are not removed voluntarily,” Madholia warned.
