CHANDIGARH: The urban planning department has proposed to raise the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for the long-awaited housing scheme in Sector 53 from 1.5 to 2. This change is anticipated to enhance the usable space within flats, potentially lowering prices and providing relief to the many applicants eager for the project to commence.
The recommendation was delivered last week following the department’s review of the Chandigarh Housing Board’s (CHB) request, which considered technical parameters and master plan standards. This decision came after a meeting led by Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on September 11, where the issues of high costs and delays were addressed.
According to the official notes, CBR (U)-2017 permits integrated residential schemes outside the sectoral grids in Phase-III sectors, allowing a maximum building height of 22.63 meters and 40% ground coverage, with FAR defined in the zoning plan. The department’s recommendation of a FAR of 2.0 aligns with what was sanctioned for the UT Employees Housing Scheme in the same region.
The Sector 53 housing project has encountered multiple challenges since its initial proposal in 2018, which drew only 178 applications for 492 flats due to high pricing. After being revived in February 2023, it faced another hold in August 2023 from then-administrator Banwarilal Purohit, who argued that the city did not require a new housing initiative at that moment. The project saw new activity when it was reinstated in November 2024 under Kataria’s administration. A demand survey in March 2025 recorded 7,468 applicants for 372 flats, but escalating collector rates since April have driven prices up by 35% to 40%, further complicating affordability.
Current projected prices are Rs 2.30 crore for a three-bedroom flat, Rs 1.97 crore for a two-bedroom unit, and Rs 74 lakh for an EWS flat. During the September meeting, Kataria expressed dissatisfaction with the high prices and instructed CHB officials to adjust rates and increase the housing supply to improve affordability.
Additionally, the lack of an Economic Weaker Section (EWS) policy continues to hinder allotments. The UT administration has not yet established this policy, which is causing delays not only for the Sector 53 initiative but also for the proposed Manimajra housing project in pocket number six.
Officials are optimistic that increasing the FAR will enhance the project’s viability by maximizing space and lowering costs per unit. Once the EWS policy is finalized and pricing adjusted, the scheme can transition from planning to actual development, addressing the pressing housing demands in Chandigarh.
