CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration is contemplating an increase in the permissible floor area ratio (FAR) for commercial properties outside the ‘heritage sectors’.
The administration has expressed plans to raise the FAR in Industrial Area Phase I and II from the current 0.75 and 1.0 to 2.0.
“The decision regarding the FAR increase is currently with the top leadership of the administration. The proposal aims to double the FAR for commercial properties in the Industrial Area and areas beyond the heritage sectors,” sources report.
Alongside the FAR increase, adjustments to the coverage area and allowable building heights are also under review. “Any increase in FAR will lead to changes in coverage and height regulations, which are also being considered,” sources added.
The modifications in the FAR, coverage area, and building height for commercial properties could significantly alter the city’s skyline, particularly in the southern sectors, adding new commercial zones.
Since the 2005 land-use conversion scheme in Industrial Area Phase I and II, the city has witnessed the addition of 35,48,880 sq ft of commercial space. Under this policy, the FAR was increased from 1 to 2, and building heights rose from 18.29m to 30m. However, this policy was discontinued on September 18, 2008.
In 2000, an increase in FAR from 0.75 to 1.0 and a 10% rise in ground coverage from 50% to 60% for cycle sheds on plots up to one acre were approved. Few opted for this due to “prohibitive” charges tied to the increase.
The FAR changes align with the administration’s goals under ‘Deregulation 2.0’. A committee has been formed under the deputy commissioner to evaluate and recommend changes to building bylaws and regulations.
A UT official confirmed, “No changes will occur in FAR, height, or coverage area in the heritage sectors, which encompass the city’s first phase (Sectors 1 to 30) designed by Le Corbusier and his team, reflecting modern urbanism principles.”
The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 for stringent preservation of Chandigarh’s Phase I (Sectors 1-30) heritage, prohibiting conversion of single-family homes into apartments and freezing the FAR to prevent disorganized urban growth.
Mixed Development in Industrial Area Phase-III
The Chandigarh administration is exploring a mixed land-use strategy for the development of Industrial Area Phase-III. “A segment of the 153-acre Phase-III is designated for warehousing and open spaces, while plans for mixed-use development are underway for the remaining area,” sources revealed.
The city’s mixed land-use proposal primarily revolves around transit-oriented development (TOD) along Vikas Marg.
To accelerate infrastructure development in the long-anticipated 153-acre Industrial Area Phase-III, the administration intends to engage the private sector via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Whereas Phase I and II are fully developed with over 1,800 plots, Phase III remains untouched.
Current FAR and Ground Coverage
There is no standardized FAR or coverage for commercial sites; it varies based on architectural control sheets and zoning regulations. For hotels, the ground coverage is 35% with a FAR of 1.50; for banquet halls, ground coverage is 40% with a FAR of 0.80.
In Industrial Areas (Phase I and II), plots of up to 1 acre are permitted 60% ground coverage and a FAR of 1.0, while larger plots over 1 acre allow for 40% ground coverage with a FAR of 0.75.
