Generator sets in parks, greenbelts of DLF 1-4 under scanner

Gurgaon: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) has initiated action against the installation of diesel generator (DG) sets by private house owners in right of way areas, green belts and parks across DLF colonies, sparking concerns of encroachment in public areas.

District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia has issued a notice to DLF City RWA, directing it to furnish records of approvals for the installations.

The matter came to the fore after an anti-encroachment drive was conducted in April in compliance with proceedings linked to a public interest litigation pending before the Punjab and Haryana high court. Authorities have now asked DLF City RWA for land-use permissions, approval from the district town planner, NOCs from the fire department, consent or clearance from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, and permissions from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) or other competent electricity authorities.

In turn, DLF City RWA issued a public communication on Tuesday to residential societies, block RWAs, institutions and generator operators to submit all relevant approvals within 15 days. The RWA said the documents are required to enable it to compile a response and submit it to the planning department within the stipulated timeline.

If they fail to do so, the matter would be forwarded to the concerned authorities on the basis of available records.

Officials indicated that a detailed scrutiny of the installations, including their location, capacity and statutory clearances, is likely to follow. “If satisfactory replies or valid documents are not furnished, action will be taken as per rules without any further notice,” Madholia said.

Officials said the exercise is expected to bring renewed focus on the use of public spaces for utility infrastructure and compliance with planning and environmental regulations in the city’s residential neighbourhoods.However, the move has triggered concern among several residential communities in the DLF area, many of which rely on large diesel generators for power backup during outages.

While residents supported regulatory compliance, some expressed concern that any action against existing installations should not affect essential services without viable alternatives in place. “The authorities are right in seeking permissions and ensuring that public spaces are not misused. At the same time, these generators provide critical backup during power disruptions, especially in high-rise residential complexes. Any decision should balance compliance requirements with the practical needs of residents,” said a DLF resident, requesting anonymity.

Officials said the information being collected from RWAs, societies and institutions would help determine whether the installations conform to planning, environmental and safety norms.