Govt going slow on illegal guesthouses

Kusum Manchanda, TNN, Sep 27, 2010,

GURGAON: In an RTI reply, the district town planner of Gurgaon revealed that there are about 500 guesthouses operating illegally from posh residential colonies in new Gurgaon, including DLF. While the district administration says it has already initiated action against such guesthouses, residents say the action is just cosmetic.

The sealing drive by the administration is in process but it would take some time to finish. Till now 60-70 guesthouses have been sealed. We have a list of around 200 in the entire city and gradually all these will be sealed, said Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner R K Kataria.

Residents, however, are not amused. When the government policy does not allow residential premises being used as guesthouses, why cant they just follow the norm? But every time a complaint is lodged, the officials concerned serve a notice to the violators and call them for a hearing, said Sudhir Kapoor, secretary of DLF City RWA.

Interestingly, some of the guesthouses are owned by office bearers of citizens groups, which have been holding public demonstration against government agencies for creating a mess in the city.

The residents of H Block in DLF-I have decided to step up their agitation against the governments callous attitude.

DLF was supposed to be a posh colony. But now the image is being ruined by commercial activities in the colony. With the Commonwealth Games drawing closer the number of guesthouses is also on the rise. These are putting more pressure on the fragile infrastructure, which has been struggling on the power and water supply fronts, said Parimal Bardhan, a resident.

The government inaction had forced the general secretary of H Block to file an RTI seeking details of the guesthouse owners and governments action so far against this illegal practice.

However, the district town planner in his reply said, Necessary showcause notice and restoration orders as per the provisions of Act 41 of 1963 have been issued against the defaulters and further necessary action shall be taken during the next demolition drive in that area. No demolition has been taken in the licensed colony namely DLF I, II, III, IV, V after recent identification of residential premises where commercial activities are being done. Action would be taken in the near future against these defaulters.

Meeta Ghosh, another resident of DLF-I, said that residential blocks have already got many commercial establishments, which have resulted in security, safety, traffic and parking related problems.

Their growth is a serious issue. There seems to be no regulation for them. How can commercial establishments come up on every nook and corner of the city? asked Piyush Gupta, another resident. One of the guest house owners admitted that they have not put any signage. If someone comes asking, we simply tell them that those staying in the premises are our tenants.