GURUGRAM: The Supreme Court has disposed of a special leave petition (SLP) challenging Haryana‘s stilt+4 construction policy and allowed the petitioner to seek interim relief from the Punjab and Haryana high court.
The case has garnered public interest, especially among residents and civic organisations in the city, who have been complaining about unchecked urban expansion and resulting strain on infrastructure.
The petition, filed by Sunil Singh, challenged the Haryana govt’s July 2, 2024 notification, which permits construction of stilt+4 floors on residential plots. These developments have faced criticism due to their perceived impacts on the city’s already overstretched infrastructure, including water supply, sewage treatment, drainage systems and road networks.
The SC bench, comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice KV Viswanathan, heard the case and concluded that the high court should address the petitioner’s requests for interim relief on their merits. Among other things, the petitioner is seeking a stay on all new approvals for such constructions and a halt to occupancy certificates for projects already in progress.
Additionally, the petitioner has called for appointment of an independent oversight committee, led by a retired SC judge, to ensure compliance with building norms and environmental safeguards.
Recognising urgency of the situation, the SC has allowed the petitioner to request an early hearing in the high court, which is currently scheduled for Oct 30, with the possibility of advancing it to Aug. “This is a matter of critical public concern. The infrastructure collapse is already evident in many parts of Gurgaon. We need immediate action before irreversible damage is done,” said counsel for the petitioner Nivedita Sharma.
The case continues to spark debate among policy makers and citizens, with critics contending that the stilt+4 policy prioritises real estate interests over planned urban growth. Meanwhile, the Haryana govt asserts that the policy is designed to optimise land use and meet housing demand.
The HC is now expected to prioritise this matter, as directed by the SC, with its decision likely to have significant implications for urban planning in Gurgaon and other rapidly growing cities.
