Panchkula residents criticize Haryana government’s decision to allow construction of four buildings on stilts

A day after the Haryana government allowed construction of stilt-based, four-storey buildings in residential sectors, former Chief of Army Staff V. Gen. Malik (retd), one of the most vocal opponents of such structures, called the decision a “huge disappointment”.

“The builders’ lobby has won,” Malik said, adding: “The suffering, losses due to stilt and quad structures and the riots that led to the halt of such structures have not been taken into account. We are back to square one.”

In a stilt building with four storeys, the ground floor is raised above ground level by creating an open space on pillars or stilts. The stilt floor is usually used for parking or storage, while the upper floors are used for residential purposes.

On Monday, the Haryana government, after a 16-month ban, decided to allow such constructions in residential sectors where the development plan has been approved to construct four residential units per plot or to ensure a population density of 18 persons per plot.

Just three months before the state elections, the government decided to grant permission for the construction of four-story, stilt-based buildings in residential areas where a zoning plan has already been approved to allow the construction of three residential units on a plot and the plot adjoins a road of 10 meters or more for access.

However, top officials said, this will be subject to a mutual consent agreement between all the neighbouring plots or maintaining certain lateral gaps of a specified size on each floor from the neighbouring plots to ensure better ventilation and sunlight.

“It’s not easy for neighbours to agree on anything. It will lead to disharmony,” said Malik, who has been an early supporter of the chorus to completely halt such construction in old sectors, citing a lack of infrastructure to support vertical growth.

“This will lead to social problems”

“Buildings on stilts and quadrangles should not be allowed in old sectors where there is a lack of infrastructure. It will lead to problems with sewage, water supply, electricity, parking and traffic control,” said SK Nayar, president of the Citizens’ Welfare Association (CWA).

He added that the people of Panchkula will be forced to launch protests ahead of the upcoming assembly elections if the government continues to ignore the voice of the people.

Federation of Residents’ Associations (FORA) president RP Malhotra said, “No doubt, vertical growth is the need of the hour. We have been advocating for allowing such constructions in developing sectors. However, older sectors do not have adequate infrastructure to bear the weight of these buildings. Just last year, widespread floods in Panchkula highlighted the poor infrastructure, especially drainage, as well as water supply shortages and power cuts.”

Real estate agents welcome change

Meanwhile, Suresh Aggarwal, president of Haryana Property Consultants’ Federation, said, “The government must do away with the clause of taking away no-objection certificates from neighbours as it will lead to blackmail. Given the paucity of space, vertical clusters are the answer for affordable housing.”

Welcoming the government’s decision, Rajesh Dhanda, president of the Property Dealers’ Association, said that the construction work that had been on hold for months would finally be completed.