The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has initiated steps to divide a 21-acre parcel in Sector 53 into two portions, one of which may be auctioned to a private developer, following directives from UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. The move has stirred debate among residents’ associations, who argue that it contravenes the city’s master plan and CHB’s mandate to provide affordable housing.
According to a letter dated December 9 from CHB CEO Pardeep Kumar to the UT chief architect, approximately 11 acres of Sector 53 have been earmarked for a general housing scheme targeting UT employees. The remaining land’s zoning details have been requested to facilitate potential auctioning to private interests, effectively splitting the site into a public and private development zone. Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairperson of the Federation of Sector Welfare Associations Chandigarh (FOSWAC), criticised the initiative, stating, “CHB was established to deliver quality public housing. Treating land as a commercial asset undermines its fundamental purpose.” He noted that the 2031 Master Plan strictly designates this area for residential use, highlighting the tension between revenue generation and long-term urban planning. The proposal follows instructions from Kataria in October 2025 to explore dividing eight acres into separate pockets, with potential adjustments to floor area ratio (FAR), building height, and density to ensure financial viability while maintaining affordability for the economically weaker section (EWS). Inspections conducted by the UT administrator earlier in December reviewed multiple CHB and urban sites, including Sector 53 and adjacent projects, signalling administrative intent to accelerate housing development while exploring private partnerships.
Sector 53’s housing project has faced persistent delays. Initially proposed in 2018, high pricing led to weak demand, with only 178 applications received for 492 flats, causing the scheme to be shelved. A revived effort in 2023 was paused, only to be restarted under Kataria’s tenure in late 2024. Current estimates place three-bedroom flats at Rs 2.30 crore, two-bedroom units at Rs 1.97 crore, and EWS units at Rs 74 lakh up 35-40% from earlier rates, reflecting rising land and construction costs. A demand survey conducted in March 2025 revealed 7,468 applications for just 372 flats, indicating strong appetite for affordable housing despite price hikes. Industry experts note that balancing financial viability, regulatory compliance, and urban equity will be critical to the project’s success, particularly if part of the land is auctioned for private development.
As Sector 53 moves closer to implementation, the CHB faces the delicate challenge of reconciling administrative directives, resident expectations, and the city’s broader housing strategy. Ensuring equitable access, affordability, and adherence to master-plan provisions will be key for long-term urban sustainability in Chandigarh.
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