The Times  of India          11.11.2010

 GURGAON: A major chunk of the agriculture land on which several colonies were built close to Indian Air Force (IAF) ammunition depot might get acquired by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) in Gurgaon. The IAF Act prohibits constructions within 1000 yards of the boundary wall of an ammunition depot. The IAF has repeatedly communicated to the city administration about the violation of this particular defense rule.

In Gurgaon, the rules have been blatantly violated and there are several colonies close to the depot. The HUDA seems to have finally woken up and is all set to get rid of the mess.

Nitin Yadav, Huda administrator said: A survey is being carried out to find out which building violates the defense rules. The land will be replanned as per IAF rules and city development plans. He agreed that the HUDA earlier had a plan to build a golf course in this area but the plan has been shelved.

The fact that the colonies have water connection, power and sewerage system and road, mean that the city administration looked the other way despite being fully aware that the construction in the region is in violation of the IAF rules.

In the past, the IAF has complained that apart from the various illegal colonies in the controlled area, parts of HUDAs Sectors 14, 17 and 18 fall within the prohibited zone According to the Indian Air Force Act and Defence Property Rules, there should be no construction within 1000 yards (900 meters) of the boundary of an ammunition depot.

Interestingly, the local politicians have always supported the residents of the colony in past. City administration sources claimed that the local politicians, in fact, have written to the IAF and HUDA asking them to consider lowering the mandatory 900 meters restriction to 100 metres, to allow construction.