In view of a large number of representations being received from time to time regarding regularisation of changes made in houses, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to keep its demolition drive in abeyance till the finalisation of the recommendations of a committee.
The UT Administration had constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer, CHB, on May 11 to review and recommend need-based changes in CHB dwelling units. The committee was told to submit its report within two weeks.
The CHB had launched a crackdown on illegal structures in April on the basis of the notices issued against illegal constructions and encroachment on the government land, but halted it after protest from residents and political parties.
The committee will assess changes carried out by allottees in their dwelling units, identify permissible changes, compliance with the Supreme Court directions issued on January 10, 2023, and recommend the changes that can be allowed subject to the condition that there is no compromise with the structural stability, fire safety, light and ventilation etc.
In January this year, the UT Administration had constituted an 11-member committee to review the policy on need-based changes notified on January 3, 2023. The notification had superseded all previous orders related to need-based changes in CHB dwelling units. It was put on hold following the SC order on January 10, 2023. The apex court directed that the Chandigarh Administration shall freeze the floor area ratio (FAR) and shall not increase it any further.
The committee recommended that the policy be implemented with certain exclusions. Out of the 28 clauses in the 2023 policy, the committee dropped four. However, the house owners have been opposing the January 2023 notification, claiming it has reversed previous relaxations and categorised these as violations. The CHB allottees have demanded the withdrawal of the policy and the provision of a comprehensive alternative.
Over the past four decades, the CHB has constructed around 68,000 flats of various categories, with nearly 80% having some form of structural alteration.
