Hyderabad: TG-RERA receives 12 complaints about illegal conversion of driveways into parking spaces

Hyderabad: A well-known city-based construction company, which figured in the Grohe-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List, is under the scanner for allegedly selling and converting a two-wheeler parking slot into a car slot.

The aggrieved homebuyer lodged a complaint with the Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG-RERA), alleging tampering of approved building drawings.

Acting on the complaint, TG-RERA made it clear that developers must strictly adhere to sanctioned plans without deviation.

Surge in complaints

Officials say this is not an isolated case. TG-RERA has been receiving a growing number of complaints over the past few months about builders misusing and illegally selling parking slots.

Consumer activists caution that if reputed builders resort to such practices, the plight of buyers dealing with smaller developers is far worse.

Rules under G.O. 168

According to Government Order 168, in residential projects on plots above 2,000 sq. yards, 33% of the built-up area must be earmarked for parking, 30% for residents, and 3% for visitors.

In commercial projects, 44% of the built-up area should be reserved for parking, 40% for shops/offices, and 4% for visitors. Each car parking slot should measure 2.5 metres by 4.5 metres.

Officials acknowledge that very few developers follow these norms properly.

Parking allotment by Lottery

As per rules, once the Occupancy Certificate (OC) is issued, a residents’ association must be formed within three months.

Parking slots should then be allotted to buyers through a lottery system conducted in the presence of association office-bearers.

For smaller projects, such as stilt plus five floors built on plots under 600 sq. yards, deemed compliance applies. But violations are rampant in large multi-storey buildings.

Selling beyond sanction

A major malpractice notice is the sale of parking slots beyond approval. For instance, if the sanctioned plan allows for 450 slots, some builders convert and sell as many as 600 slots, collecting Rs 1–5 lakh per slot depending on demand.

Builders also misuse Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) by adding extra floors and flats after securing TDR, without creating additional parking, thereby increasing congestion and disputes.

Driveways misused

In the last six months alone, TG-RERA has received 10–12 complaints alleging that driveways and common passages were illegally converted into parking spaces and sold.

“We are insisting that all developers follow approved plans without deviation. Violations in parking allocation will invite strict action,” said a member of TG-RERA on condition of anonymity.