The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent judgment on the stilt-plus-four floor construction policy in Haryana has brought some clarity but also created new questions. The court has emphatically stated that it hasn’t imposed a ban, leaving the decision-making power squarely with the Haryana government.
This judgment follows a legal challenge by the Gurgaon Citizen Council, which expressed concerns about the policy’s potential to overload existing civic infrastructure like sewage systems and water supply networks. The court acknowledged these concerns but did not enact a complete ban.
The focus now shifts to the Haryana government. The court’s directive urges the government to make a well-informed decision, taking into account the impact on infrastructure, resident well-being, and adherence to urban planning regulations. This opens the door for a few possibilities.
The government could choose to implement the policy with stricter regulations or limitations, ensuring new constructions align with infrastructure capacity. Alternatively, it could scrap the policy altogether, prioritizing the existing infrastructure’s ability to support residents’ needs.
For homebuyers and developers who have been following this issue closely, the wait for the government’s next move continues. The lack of a definitive answer creates uncertainty for both parties. Homebuyers who were potentially interested in stilt-plus-four projects might delay their decisions, and developers might face challenges in planning future projects.
Ultimately, the court’s judgment, while not imposing a ban, highlights the need for a balanced approach to urban development. Striking a harmonious balance between accommodating new residential needs and ensuring existing infrastructure can handle the additional strain is key to sustainable urban planning in Haryana.
