Gurugram Sushant Lok-3 PGs, Guesthouses Face Enforcement Action

Gurugram: More than 30 properties in Sushant Lok-3 have been identified for possible enforcement action after authorities found unauthorised paying guest (PG) accommodation, guest houses and other commercial activities being operated from residential premises.

The survey was carried out by the enforcement wing of the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). Officials said show-cause notices and restoration orders have already been issued in several cases, with further action to depend on the nature of individual violations and whether property owners comply with planning regulations.

The action comes at a time when Gurugram authorities are examining the use of residential properties for commercial purposes more closely. In Sushant Lok-3, residents have also raised concerns about parking, drainage, sewerage, electricity and water supply, saying the concentration of PGs and guest houses has increased pressure on neighbourhood infrastructure.

What did the Sushant Lok-3 survey find?

According to the report, the properties under scrutiny are largely located on bigger residential plots. Some are allegedly being used for activities beyond their sanctioned residential purpose, while others have allegedly made unauthorised changes in stilt parking areas.

The enforcement department found a concentration of such properties in F and G blocks, particularly around Hong Kong Bazaar.

Managed PG operators are also among those being examined. Officials cited a building in G Block where Stanza Living is operating a PG, while the basement has reportedly been rented to food delivery platform Swiggy. Residents have linked the resulting movement of delivery vehicles with parking and traffic problems.

The survey is not limited to accommodation businesses. Authorities are also examining a farmers' market, commercial offices and other business activities operating from residential properties.

Sushant Lok-3 enforcement at a glance

Why are PGs and guest houses under scrutiny?

The central issue is not simply whether a property is being rented out. Authorities are examining whether residential premises are being used in a manner that goes beyond the sanctioned use of the property and whether the necessary planning permissions and building requirements have been followed.

For owners, the distinction matters. A residential house being rented to tenants is different from converting it into a high-intensity accommodation facility or commercial establishment involving multiple occupants, staff, frequent visitors and additional services.

The Sushant Lok-3 survey comes against the backdrop of a larger enforcement exercise across Gurugram. Earlier this year, DTCP had identified 86 suspected illegal guest houses in the first phase of a district-wide survey covering areas including Sushant Lok, South City, Nirvana Country, Sun City, Malibu Town and Palam Vihar.

Court ruling has clarified DTCP's role

The latest enforcement action also follows a recent Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that removed an important jurisdictional hurdle for DTCP.

The court held that licensed colonies do not stop being subject to the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 simply because they have subsequently come under the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram.

In other words, the inclusion of a licensed colony within municipal limits does not by itself take away DTCP's authority to act against building and planning violations covered by the state's urban development law.

That clarification is significant for older Gurugram colonies where responsibility between municipal authorities and DTCP had been contested.

The court's ruling means the planning department can continue examining violations relating to approved layouts, zoning and construction conditions in licensed colonies. The matter is still subject to further proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for October 13, according to the latest court-related report.

What does this mean for property owners?

A notice from the enforcement department does not, by itself, mean that every property identified in the survey has been conclusively found guilty of the same violation.

The authorities are examining individual properties, the nature of the activity being carried out and compliance with planning requirements. Owners who receive notices therefore need to look at the specific allegation, the sanctioned use of the property and any permissions or approvals applicable to the activity.

The distinction is particularly important for owners who have modified their homes for PG accommodation, guest-house operations or offices. A change in how a property is used can have planning, building and safety implications even when the underlying property title remains unchanged.

Gurugram has already seen enforcement action against unauthorised construction in other residential areas. Recent action in DLF Phase III, for instance, involved sealing buildings and removing structures that officials said violated building rules.

The wider question for Gurugram's residential neighbourhoods

The Sushant Lok-3 case reflects a broader challenge for established residential colonies. As property values and rental demand rise, some homeowners have increasingly looked at PGs, guest houses, offices and other commercial uses as sources of income.

At the same time, residents are concerned about what happens when a low-density residential neighbourhood begins carrying the traffic and utility load associated with higher-intensity commercial activity.

For prospective buyers, this makes sanctioned land use and building approvals important parts of property due diligence. A property can look attractive on the ground while its actual permitted use, construction history or modifications require closer examination.

For owners already operating a PG or commercial activity from a residential property, the latest enforcement drive is a reminder to check whether the use and alterations comply with the applicable planning framework rather than relying only on the fact that similar activities exist nearby.

What happens next in Sushant Lok-3?

The DTCP enforcement department is expected to examine the identified properties individually and proceed according to the violations found and the compliance status of each owner.

The department has also maintained that its enforcement powers in licensed colonies continue even after those colonies fall within municipal limits. The recent High Court ruling has strengthened that position.

For now, the Sushant Lok-3 action is best understood as part of a wider enforcement drive against unauthorised commercial use and construction in Gurugram's residential areas, rather than as a blanket action against every PG or rental property in the city.