CHANDIGARH – In a significant pivot for the city’s real estate landscape, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has scrapped its high-rise ambitions in favor of a premium plotted development. Following a directive from Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the board is now preparing to launch 390 residential plots at the IT Park, ranging in size from 7.5 Marlas to 2 Kanals.
The move comes as a strategic “Plan B” after the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) repeatedly blocked previous attempts to build dense housing complexes in the area.
Overcoming the Environmental Deadlock
For over two years, the CHB’s plans for the IT Park remained in limbo. In September 2023, the administration was forced to cancel both a General Housing Scheme (spanning 16.6 acres) and a Government Housing Project (6.73 acres).
The primary hurdle was the site’s proximity to the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite the CHB’s argument that the project sat 1.25 km outside the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), the Union Ministry raised several red flags:
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Bird Flight Paths: High-rise buildings were cited as a major disruption for migratory birds.
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Pollution Concerns: Fears over increased noise, air pollution, and waste generation in a sensitive ecosystem.
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Density Issues: The sheer scale of the proposed ₹643 crore project was deemed too heavy for the local environment.
A New Vision: Horizontal Growth
By shifting from multi-story flats to individual plots, the UT Chief Architect aims to satisfy environmental regulators while finally utilizing the 123-acre land bank. The new plan seeks to preserve the “Group Housing” intent while minimizing the vertical footprint that previously led to the rejection of environmental clearances.
The proposed development at a glance:
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Total Plots: 390 units.
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Plot Sizes: 7.5 Marlas, 10 Marlas, 1 Kanal, and 2 Kanals.
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Infrastructure: The broader strategy still includes provisions for a five-star hotel, a hospital, and a school to serve the new mini-township.
Market Impact
The decision to offer plots rather than flats is expected to trigger intense interest from the general public. Plotted developments are a rarity within Chandigarh’s city limits, and the IT Park location—coupled with the proximity to the sanctuary—positions these as some of the most elite residential addresses in the region.
The UT administration is hopeful that this “low-impact” residential model will finally clear the environmental hurdles that have stalled development in the IT Park for years.
Do you think the shift to low-density plots is a fair compromise for the environment, or should the city have pushed harder for high-density housing to accommodate more residents?
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