CHANDIGARH: After nearly a decade of inactivity, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) is finally addressing the housing demands of the city. As it gears up to introduce the Sector 53 self-financed housing scheme, plans are also underway for a new project in Sector 54.
A senior UT official stated, “The CHB has been allocated approximately 32 acres in Sector 54. Recently, a meeting regarding land availability for various purposes took place under the UT administrator’s leadership, during which the Sector 54 land was discussed. Approval has been granted to proceed with the conceptualization and planning for public housing on this site.”
Initial estimates suggest the area could accommodate around 1,700 flats, with the planning process expected to be finalized within four to six months. “Currently, the CHB has possession of about 14 acres, while the estate office and the UT engineering department will soon hand over an additional 18 acres,” the official added.
The CHB is the primary housing developer in the city, holding a significant portion of the available residential land. Alongside approximately 100 acres on Vikas Marg, another key landholding for CHB is in the Chandigarh IT Park, totaling over 100 acres. Plans to develop two housing projects at the IT Park, however, were stalled due to the lack of approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Although CHB officials claim that the competent authority has approved the Sector 53 housing scheme, several procedural approvals are still pending. “Deposits from applicants who participated in the earlier demand survey for this scheme have been refunded due to increased apartment prices following a rise in collector rates. Applications will be re-invited once the project is officially launched,” the official mentioned.
This scheme has been in limbo for over seven years. Initially slated for launch in 2018, a demand survey revealed a lack of interest due to high costs, prompting a revival attempt in 2023 that was ultimately postponed. The project re-emerged in 2024, leading to a new demand survey in 2025.
Originally, 492 flats were planned, but in 2022, CHB eliminated the construction of 100 one-room flats. The revised plan now involves offering 372 flats across three categories: 192 three-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units, and 80 two-bedroom EWS flats. “The decision regarding the one-room flats will be addressed later,” the official concluded.
