Gurgaon: Following a standoff between Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) over taking responsibility for clearing demolition debris, DLF Utilities has stepped in to initiate a structured right-of-way (ROW) clearance drive across DLF Phases 1 and 2.The move comes in the aftermath of the five-day anti-encroachment drive that saw widespread demolition of illegal extensions like boundary walls, ramps, guard rooms, kiosks and other structures encroaching on internal roads.While DTCP directed both MCG and developers to remove debris and restore roads, MCG cited Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste rules, stating that the “waste generator” is responsible for disposal at designated facilities, leading to confusion on the ground.This led to confusion on the ground, with residents reporting delays in full clearance despite initial road opening by enforcement teams.Amid growing complaints, DLF Utilities has now deployed multiple teams across blocks in phases 1 and 2 to undertake systematic debris removal and road restoration. The exercise is being carried out in coordination with DTCP and is aimed at restoring access, safety and the planned use of public infrastructure.“The ongoing exercise is focused on removal of encroachments and immediate clearance of debris from public areas, green belts and road stretches to restore access, safety and planned infrastructure usage,” DLF Utilities Ltd head (facility management and security) Nitya Mohan said.Teams have been deployed across multiple blocks in both phases to lift construction waste, clear carriageways and ensure that roads are restored to their original width as per approved layout plans. The work is being carried out in coordination with the authorities concerned, officials said.The teams also urged residents to cooperate with the process. “Residents are requested to refrain from any re-encroachment to ensure long-term compliance and upkeep of the city,” an official said.Residents said the initial phase of debris removal has brought some relief. “For a few days after the demolition, movement was difficult because debris was lying along the roads. Now it is being cleared in parts,” said a resident of DLF Phase 2.However, concerns remain over sustained enforcement and maintenance. “Clearing debris is necessary, but unless there is strict monitoring, encroachments may gradually return,” said a resident of DLF Phase 1.DTCP officials have maintained that the drive is not a one-time exercise and that monitoring mechanisms are being put in place to prevent re-encroachment. A committee of junior engineers is expected to oversee cleared stretches and take action against violations.With DLF Utilities now taking charge of debris clearance in key colonies, authorities hope the focus will shift from inter-agency differences to restoring infrastructure and maintaining the reclaimed road space in the long run.
