Latest StoriesResidential

Chandigarh to Use Unused CHB Land to Address Housing Shortage

CHANDIGARH: Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad stated on Friday that the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) will fully utilize vacant and unused land to address the housing needs of city residents. Prasad noted that development efforts will align with the Chandigarh Master Plan and the Supreme Court’s ruling on the city’s heritage. He addressed media at the new UT secretariat in Sector 9, outlining upcoming administrative initiatives. Earlier that day, he convened a meeting to evaluate the progress of key projects and reforms in government and aided colleges, along with higher and technical education institutions in Chandigarh. The Chief Secretary urged…

IndustryLatest Stories

UT Chief Secretary Reviews Chandigarh Housing Board Operations

Representative AI image CHANDIGARH: H Rajesh Prasad, the UT Chief Secretary, led an extensive review meeting of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) on Friday. The agenda aimed to boost innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and increase accountability within the organization. A comprehensive presentation covered staff strength, recovery of outstanding dues, and other operational aspects of CHB. Highlighting CHB’s crucial role in providing housing for Chandigarh residents, the Chief Secretary urged the Board to develop a detailed plan showcasing its contribution to the city’s progress. He also emphasized the need for innovative housing schemes that align with urban development goals. In light…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Alters Land Use Rules to Encourage Investment

LUDHIANA: The Punjab government has recently overturned a previous policy, officially separating change of land use (CLU) permissions from the final approval of building and layout plans. This decision, enacted by the state’s housing and urban development department, aims to streamline the development process, responding to the needs of investors looking to secure bank loans and clearances earlier in the process. This change reinstates the former system, which had been integrated in 2023 into a unified application for CLU and layout plan/license to develop colonies. Municipal corporation (MC) officials and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) have been directed…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Chandigarh Administration Hits Hurdles for ₹1.5 Crore Projects

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the provided content: — CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration has yet to consult the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the approval of new projects or tenders exceeding Rs 1.5 crore. However, the UT engineering department has compiled a list of priority projects that will be forwarded to the MHA for financial approval. A UT official stated that projects such as new school constructions, a new DC office, the PU-PGI underpass, additional government housing, a railway under bridge (RUB), and a new police station have already passed the administrative approval stage and now require financial…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Forms Committee to Develop Real Estate Roadmap

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has established a sector-specific committee under the Housing and Urban Development Department to create a tailored transformation roadmap for the real estate sector. This initiative aims to foster structured collaboration between the government and the real estate industry. Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian stated, “The committee was formed to provide policy inputs for a progressive, transparent, and investment-friendly real estate ecosystem in Punjab.” He emphasized that the goal is to develop a best-in-class policy model through active collaboration with key stakeholders. The committee is headed by Deepak Garg, Director of Marbella Group,…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Chandigarh Declared India’s First Slum-Free City After Shahpur Colony Demolition

AI-generated illustration for representational purposes only 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…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Cabinet Approves Charges for Village Land Encroachments

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet has approved a proposal empowering the government to impose charges on illegally occupied land designated for village common roads and watercourses. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that many panchayat paths and watercourses have been encroached upon by real estate developers and individuals. “We will form price fixation committees, led by the relevant deputy commissioners, to collect payments from those currently occupying the land. Revenue generated will be shared between the local body or panchayat and the state government,” he added. An amendment to the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules, 1964, will facilitate this…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Homebuyer Wins 7-Year Legal Fight Over Delayed Flat

CHANDIGARH: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Chandigarh has issued a ruling that may bring relief to numerous homebuyers affected by stalled real estate projects. The commission ordered a housing group and another agency to refund Rs 2.4 lakh along with 9% annual interest to a complainant who had not received possession of a flat booked over seven years ago. The Commission held both entities accountable for deficiencies in service and unfair trade practices, additionally awarding Rs 20,000 as compensation and litigation costs to the complainant, Akhil Awasthi. Akhil Awasthi, a resident of Sector 44, had secured an unconstructed…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

HC Denies Relief to Ansal Properties; HRERA Penalties Stand

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has determined that the interim penalty orders issued by the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) against Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd are appropriate and should not be challenged under writ jurisdiction. The court affirmed that the penalties were legitimately imposed under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) for statutory non-compliance. Despite undergoing insolvency proceedings, the company must ensure adherence through its resolution professional. The High Court clarified that the petitioner has the alternative option of appealing to the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal under Section 43(5) of the RERA Act,…

IndustryLatest Stories

Chandigarh Admin Berates CHB for Poor Performance

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria criticized the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) for its inadequate performance in fulfilling its mandate of providing affordable housing in the city. The board has faced scrutiny for its long-standing stagnation, failing to initiate a single housing project in almost a decade. During his inaugural visit to the CHB building in Sector 9, the administrator led a performance review meeting on Thursday, where various aspects of the board’s operations were discussed. He emphasized the need to reactivate the CHB to meet its objectives. Present at the meeting were CHB officials, including UT…