Gurugram: The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has identified a software glitch that led to errors in the allotment of flats under the 4S Aster Avenue 36 affordable housing project in Sohna. As a result, the department has put the allotment process on hold, with a cancellation of the draw likely pending court directions.
Software Glitch Excludes Thousands of Applicants
The issue came to light when DTCP officials noticed that all 708 successful applicants in the January 27, 2025, e-draw were from Sohna town, despite receiving over 51,000 applications from various locations. A departmental inquiry revealed that only 2,200 applicants who listed Sohna as their address were considered, while thousands of others were excluded due to a technical error in the software portal.
Violations of Affordable Housing Policy
Officials stated that the Haryana government’s affordable housing policy does not permit preferential treatment based on residency. However, the software glitch resulted in an unfair process by automatically excluding applicants from outside Sohna. This led to concerns over policy violations and transparency in the allotment process.
Court Intervention and DTCP’s Response
Affected applicants approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court for intervention. In response, DTCP acknowledged the software malfunction and admitted that many eligible applicants may have been deprived of a fair opportunity. DTCP officials have submitted their report to the court and are awaiting further directions before proceeding with the cancellation of the draw.
A senior DTCP official stated, “Since the matter is sub judice, we cannot comment further. However, the glitch in the software resulted in only 2,200 applicants being considered, violating the affordable housing policy.”
Technical Audit and Future Measures
To prevent similar errors, DTCP has initiated a technical audit of the software portal. Additionally, all upcoming affordable housing draws have been temporarily halted until the system is rectified. “We have put two scheduled draws on hold to ensure complete transparency in the allotment process,” an official added.
On February 18, DTCP Director Amit Khatri ordered a suspension of the allotment process and launched an investigation into the e-draw system. The Chief Town Planner (IT&M) was tasked with submitting a report within ten days.
Implications for Applicants and Developers
The affordable housing policy, introduced by the Haryana government in 2016, enables private developers to construct and sell housing units at government-fixed prices ranging between ₹30 lakh and ₹35 lakh. However, with the draw now under scrutiny, DTCP has directed the concerned developer to halt further payment collection from successful applicants until a final decision is reached.
Conclusion
The discovery of this software glitch has raised significant concerns regarding transparency and fairness in Haryana’s affordable housing projects. As DTCP awaits the court’s decision, thousands of affected applicants remain uncertain about their homeownership prospects. Moving forward, rigorous audits and enhanced software oversight will be crucial in restoring trust in the e-draw system and ensuring equitable housing allotments.
SEO Keywords:
- DTCP 4S Aster Avenue 36 flat allotment
- Affordable housing project Gurugram
- Haryana real estate news
- DTCP software glitch
- Sohna housing draw cancellation
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
