Tag: Punjab

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,”…

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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…

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Punjab Cabinet Approves Stilt-Plus-Four Floor Building Rules

CHANDIGARH: On Tuesday, the Punjab cabinet approved the Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, which will permit the construction of stilt-plus-four floors in newly developed urban sectors. This decision was made during a council of ministers meeting led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. According to officials, those owning a plot of at least 250 square yards will be eligible to construct stilt-plus-four floors in urban areas. A representative from the Chief Minister’s office stated that the new rules aim to establish a comprehensive and standardized framework for building and development across the state. These regulations will apply uniformly to both the…

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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…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Punjab Advances Aerotropolis with Social Impact Assessment for 3,553 acres

MOHALI: The Aerotropolis project in Mohali is gaining new momentum as the Punjab government has announced a social impact assessment (SIA) for acquiring 3,553 acres of land in Blocks E to J. This township will extend the already-developed Aerocity near the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport and is being facilitated by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The official notification from Vikas Garg, principal secretary of the housing and urban development department, mandates the SIA under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. This assessment will examine the social, cultural, and…

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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…

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Emperor Infratech to Complete 113-Acre Punjab Township for Parsvnath

NEW DELHI: Realty firm Parsvnath Developers Ltd announced on Tuesday a partnership with Emperor Infratech to develop a 113-acre township in Punjab. The project, located in Rajpura, Punjab, spans 112.856 acres and includes integrated amenities such as residential plots, group housing, commercial centers, clubs, and schools. Parsvnath has secured necessary licenses for the project’s construction and development from the relevant authorities. The company has signed a ‘Development Management’ agreement with Emperor Infratech Pvt Ltd, which will oversee aspects like development, completion, implementation, sales, and marketing of the project. Emperor Infratech is committed to completing the project promptly and assisting in…

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Opposition Grows to Proposed Building Rules in Punjab

BATHINDA: Several pro-environment organizations and activists have voiced strong objections to the proposed Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, likening them to a land-pooling policy. They contend that the draft favors builders over the general public by granting developers extensive powers. These organizations argue that Punjab’s residents are opposed to congested, unsafe, and unlivable urban areas. They express concerns that provisions for unlimited floor area ratio (FAR), increased population densities, habitable basements, commercializing residential spaces, relaxed fire safety standards, and loss of green areas will lead to concrete jungles. They believe that the proposed rules prioritize developer profits at the expense…