The UT Administration will begin the e-auction of residential plots from June 27, while the sale of commercial and industrial properties has been put on hold pending approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the conversion of leasehold sites into freehold.
Officials said the Administration had already identified a number of commercial properties for auction but decided not to proceed with it until the Centre approved its proposal to convert commercial and industrial properties from leasehold to freehold.
Unlike residential properties in Chandigarh, which are freehold, commercial and industrial properties are allotted on a 99-year lease.
According to experts, the system has adversely affected investor interests, with many businesses preferring to invest in neighbouring cities such as Panchkula and Mohali where commercial properties are available on a freehold basis.
Traders in Chandigarh have also been demanding full ownership rights by paying the required conversion fee.
Earlier, the Administration had planned to conduct simultaneous auctions of residential, commercial and industrial properties every quarter.
However, due to poor response to leasehold commercial properties and continuing uncertainty over the freehold proposal, the plan was revised.
At present, commercial properties worth hundreds of crores are lying vacant in the city.
Officials believe that the conversion to the freehold status would significantly enhance their marketability and attract greater investor participation.
Meanwhile, the Estate Office has announced the e-auction of 10 residential freehold plots located in Chandigarh. Interested applicants can submit their Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and complete the application process by 5 pm on June 23.
Only registered applicants will be eligible to participate in the bidding process.
The online auction will be conducted from June 27 to 29. The plots are located in Sectors 15-B, 20, 21, 23, 27-D, 30-A, 37-A and 44-B, with sizes ranging from 100 to 502 square yards.
The highest reserve prices have been fixed for two plots in Sectors 21 and 44, each measuring around 500 square yards, at Rs 16.58 crore.
The lowest-priced plots are two 100-square-yard sites in Sector 44-B, each carrying a reserve price of Rs 3.30 crore.
The Administration has prepared an annual plan to auction 40 residential plots, 40 commercial booths and shops, and 40 industrial sites during the current financial year.
The first phase comprises the auction of these 10 residential plots.
According to the schedule, the second round of residential auctions will commence on August 15 and will include sites in Sectors 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 40, 33-C, 40-A and 44-A.
The third-quarter auction is scheduled to begin on November 15 and will feature plots in Sectors 15-C, 20, 23, 33, 37, 38, 40, 44 and 46.
The fourth-quarter auction is proposed from February 15, 2027, covering sites in Sectors 19-B, 33, 37, 38, 40 and 44.
Officials said commercial and industrial properties might also be included in these auction cycles, if approval for the freehold conversion is received from the MHA during the year.
Chandigarh continues to witness strong demand for real estate, with property prices remaining the highest in the Tricity.
The city attracts buyers from several states due to its planned infrastructure and limited land availability.
Last year, the Estate Office auctioned 13 residential plots and generated revenue of Rs 168.85 crore, more than double the combined reserve price of Rs 75.29 crore.
