CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration is set to initiate the first revisions to the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 (CMP-2031) since it was established over ten years ago. This initiative is part of a broader reform effort aimed at modernizing the city’s urban planning and optimizing the limited land resources.
UT Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad has instructed the urban planning and estate departments to prepare a preliminary draft for the master plan amendments within 10 days.
This initiative aligns with the central government’s “Deregulation 2.0” strategy, aimed at reducing regulatory barriers, improving the business climate, and fostering more effective land use in a rapidly growing city facing severe land shortages.
Senior UT officials characterize the proposed amendments as a phased approach to update Chandigarh’s planning standards while safeguarding its unique character.
“These reforms are crucial for modernizing Chandigarh’s planning framework, minimizing regulatory challenges, and adapting to growth in a city with limited land,” stated a senior official. They added that the implementation will occur in phases, with many changes expected in the coming months.
The CMP-203, finalized after a draft process beginning in July 2013 and officially notified in April 2015 by the chief administrator, has remained unchanged for over a decade. Courts have consistently supported its role in guiding development and preserving the city’s unique Le Corbusier-inspired architecture.
These amendments aim to stimulate industrial activity, promote educational and residential growth, and unlock stalled projects in a city originally designed for 500,000 residents but now housing over 1.2 million, heavily reliant on rental markets.
UT officials assure that the city’s heritage will be preserved: “The development agenda aligns with the city’s heritage principles. Proposed changes will adhere to established heritage provisions and judicial directives, particularly in heritage zones,” the official stated.
This administration directive represents a critical step in reconciling Chandigarh’s architectural legacy with the demands of modern urbanization. Officials emphasize that proposed amendments will be carefully designed to maintain the planned identity of the city while facilitating sustainable development.
