CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh has become India’s first slum-free city following the demolition of Shahpur Colony in Sector-38, the last remaining slum in the Union territory, officials confirmed.
The demolition, executed on September 30, affected a 4-4.5 acre area valued at Rs 250 crore.
The settlement, which included approximately 300 huts housing nearly 1,000 residents, has now been cleared.
With unauthorized colonies on government land removed and comprehensive rehabilitation measures in place, Chandigarh has completed the final phase of its long-term slum eradication plan, according to officials.
“Through a combination of careful planning, demolitions, and strict enforcement, Chandigarh is making significant strides towards eliminating slums,” stated Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav.
“This initiative not only recovers valuable public land but also guarantees improved living conditions and dignified housing for thousands.”
This milestone positions Chandigarh as a model for urban renewal and inclusive development, serving as a benchmark for other cities across India.
Before this latest demolition, applications for rehabilitation were assessed under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, 2006. Eligible families were relocated to EWS (economically weaker section) flats in various areas including Industrial Area Phase-I and Sector 49.
Over the years, the Chandigarh administration has successfully cleared 18 slum colonies, reclaiming nearly 520 acres of government land worth around Rs 21,000 crore.
Year 2025 is projected as a significant period for the UT administration with extensive encroachment clearance efforts.
In May, an anti-encroachment drive at Janta Colony, the city’s largest slum cluster, reclaimed about 10 acres of land valued at Rs 350 crore.
Similarly, demolition operations in April at Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase-I reclaimed six acres valued at Rs 250 crore.
June saw the administration reclaiming 12 acres of valuable government land after clearing Adarsh Colony in Sector 54, worth Rs 750 crore.
Additionally, a long-standing illegal furniture market in Sector 53-54 was dismantled in July.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, praised the Union territory as one of the most well-planned cities, noting its exemplary achievements in urban development.
The Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, initiated in 2006, aims to rehabilitate families living in unauthorized colonies.
