7,000 illegal PGs, guesthouses being run in Gurugram

Illegal PGs and guesthouses are among the worst form of encroachments that have plagued Gurugram for over a decade. According to recent housing surveys, Gurugram has around 7,000 PGs, but not even 500 are duly registered with the authorities, causing infrastructure mess and loss to the exchequer. The maximum number of PGs and guesthouses are located in builder colonies, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) areas and HSVP sectors.While "maximum action" has been reported from builder colonies, it is negligible in residential sectors and MCG areas. The Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have repeatedly been voicing infrastructure and security concerns. The RWA of Sector 17 A also wrote to the Chief Minister to highlight the plight of the sector housing senior citizens and retired defence personnel.“People bought homes in HSVP sectors for peaceful living, however, the infrastructure is being encroached on by illegal PGs and guesthouses. Some houses in our area are running commercial PGs and housing 50 residents. The infrastructure was meant for a maximum of 16 people on that plot. We wrote to the CM and a notice was issued to the owner, but no action followed. Every second home here is a PG or guesthouse,” said Rakesh Jinsi, president of the RWA.“The use of residential areas for commercial accommodation causes a loss to the exchequer, but more importantly, it leads to the collapse of infrastructure. Consider the DLF areas near Cyber City or areas like Palam Vihar and MG road. The density of population here is seven times of what the infrastructure can support. Thus, you have issues of sanitation, power, water and parking. The HSVP and MCG are clueless about the number of illegal establishments that are operational,” said Praveen Malik, president of the RWA Federation.After years of slumber, the MCG woke up to the menace when it realised the loss of property tax due to illegal PGs. The authorities have now started a fresh survey of residential areas to identify such PGs.'Defaulters to face action'“Houses cannot be turned into accommodation business. The MCG has launched a survey, and all defaulters will face action. There is a proper procedure to run such accommodation, and there are separate taxes for it.” Pradeep Dahiya, MCG Commissioner

7,000 illegal PGs, guesthouses being run in Gurugram

Causing loss of several crores to exchequer, claim RWAs

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

7,000 illegal PGs, guesthouses being run in Gurugram

Causing loss of several crores to exchequer, claim RWAs

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

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