Tag: Punjab

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Slashes Reserve Prices by 22% for Gmada Properties

MOHALI: In a significant move to monetize stalled public assets and rekindle buyer interest, the Punjab government has sanctioned a notable reduction in the reserve prices for properties listed by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada) that have failed to attract buyers over the years. The new policy indicates an average drop of 22% in the reserve prices for these unsold properties, a change anticipated to generate revenues between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore. The announcement, made by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, followed the establishment of a committee tasked with evaluating government-owned properties that remained unsold…

Latest StoriesResidential

Punjab government simplifies and secures housing society registration

CHANDIGARH: In a significant move to enhance property rights and resolve longstanding legal ambiguities, the Punjab government has rolled out substantial reforms aimed at benefiting residents of cooperative housing societies. Following the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also oversees the Cooperation Department, the government has approved a comprehensive framework intended to streamline the registration process for cooperative housing properties, making it both affordable and legally secure, while ensuring proper recovery of stamp duty for the state. An official statement released on Tuesday indicated that the state has implemented extensive measures to formalize property transactions in cooperative housing societies,…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Fears Over S+4 Rule: Ludhiana’s Density May Threaten Livability

LUDHIANA: The Punjab government’s newly implemented building regulations have ignited a heated debate in the city. While these reforms offer substantial density and parking concessions for property owners, urban planners and environmentalists caution that such changes may overwhelm the city’s aging infrastructure. These regulations signify a shift towards “vertical growth” and “commercial flexibility,” particularly in Ludhiana’s historic and densely populated areas. The new unified rules introduce several structural modifications aimed at modernizing the urban landscape. Builders are now allowed to utilize stilt parking (open parking at ground level) to facilitate residential living on upper floors. Additionally, basements can now be…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Punjab eases rainwater harvesting rules; composting required

LUDHIANA: The newly established unified building regulations in Punjab are offering substantial benefits to residential property owners by significantly increasing the size threshold for compulsory rainwater harvesting systems. On-site composting of kitchen and garden waste is now a requirement for all plots measuring 500 sqm or larger. Under the revised rules, only residential houses exceeding 250 sqm must implement rainwater harvesting systems, up from the previous threshold of 100 sqm. In contrast, the commercial and industrial sectors will face stricter regulations, with a maintained threshold of 100 sqm to address the area’s diminishing water table. Addressing the Water Crisis As…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Governor Reviews Key Land and Housing Projects

CHANDIGARH: On Sunday, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria visited several project sites in the UT, assessing major housing initiatives, development projects, bulk material locations, and group housing areas. Sites Inspected The governor inspected various locations, including the IT Habitat project in IT Park, Manimajra (pocket 6), Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase-I, the government housing site in Sector 43, and the Chandigarh Housing Board project site in Sector 53. Particular attention was paid to the 70-acre mixed-use development at the Sub-City Centre and the reclaimed Furniture Market land in Sector 54 to ensure proper zoning and future-oriented…

IndustryLatest Stories

Builders unhappy with Punjab property law changes, citing sales slowdown

BATHINDA: Promoters of housing projects in Punjab are expressing discontent over a recently issued notification under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995. They argue that the new regulations will hinder development efforts, consequently affecting the state’s revenue from property transactions. This notification seeks to enhance transparency by prohibiting the partial acquisition of land for projects before development begins. It also imposes strict regulations regarding the collection of external development charges. Prospective buyers, in contrast to realtors, believe that these changes offer them greater choice and transparency, safeguarding them from being overcharged and decreasing price volatility in plot…

Latest StoriesResidential

Khanauri Distributes ₹2.5 Cr Pucca House Approval Letters

SANGRUR: On Thursday, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal distributed approval letters totaling Rs 2.55 crore to 102 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Khanauri. He also announced that an additional Rs 97.5 lakh would be allocated for 39 more beneficiaries shortly. Goyal highlighted that the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is dedicated to comprehensive state development through strategic financial management and specific initiatives aimed at realizing the vision of a ‘Rangla Punjab,’ ensuring equitable growth for all communities. He mentioned that development projects worth Rs 5 crore are set to begin soon in Khanauri, including…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Villagers Seek to Join Mohali Civic Body for Better Services

Representative AI image MOHALI: On Thursday, the Punjab government organized a public hearing to gather feedback on the proposed expansion of the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) limits. The event took place at the local bodies department in Sector 34, Chandigarh, and witnessed a strong turnout from residents advocating for the inclusion of newly developed sectors and surrounding villages into the MC’s jurisdiction. The session was led by Tejvir Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Local Government, and attended by MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh. Approximately 150 residents from various sectors, villages, and local organizations participated. “The hearing was cordial and positive,”…

Latest StoriesResidential

PAC warns Punjab govt on Shivalik housing policy issues

BATHINDA: The Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, has officially asked the Punjab chief secretary to stop the proposal for regularizing ‘low-impact housing/farmhouses’ in the Shivalik–Kandi region. They argue that the policy is legally unsound, lacks scientific justification, and may violate binding Supreme Court guidelines. PAC expressed concerns about the potential threat to some of Punjab’s most fragile landscapes, including areas designated under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) and regions bordering the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The Shivalik system features unstable geology, steep slopes, and significant sediment movement, where even minimal construction could lead to slope instability. The ongoing case WP…

Latest StoriesResidential

Stilt-Four Project Tackles Urban Sprawl Amid Ludhiana Concerns

LUDHIANA: The Punjab government’s decision to significantly revamp its urban planning laws—permitting the construction of stilt-plus-four-floor buildings to curb sprawling development and enhance housing availability—has elicited varied responses, though industry leaders generally express approval for the increased flexibility. The Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, introduced the Punjab Unified Building Rules 2025, a reform that developers view as a vital advancement towards vertical development and more effective land utilization. These revisions not only elevate the maximum height allowance for buildings within municipal boundaries but also facilitate the sale of individual floors, essentially transforming the urban landscape. Key Changes According to the new…