Chandigarh MC to auction 6.9-acre land in Manimajra for residential project

The identified land is located in the Shivalik Enclave, particularly in Pocket Number 6, where five plots will be auctioned with a cumulative reserve price of over Rs 794 crore. The project is expected to attract interest from prominent real estate developers, with the MC resolving in the recent House meeting to allot the land to a single developer or a consortium, but with no scope for dividing or merging the plots. Additionally, all construction must comply with the approved zoning plan, and the flats must strictly be used for residential purposes only.

For the cash-strapped civic body, the auction offers a much-needed financial boost, providing relief amid ongoing budget constraints. The decision also aligns with the UT’s goal to provide affordable housing options for lower-income residents, though the framework for implementing the 15 per cent EWS reservation is still unclear.

While the UT has mandated that 15 per cent of the flats for the EWS, questions remain about how this will be implemented. The civic body has sought clarification from the UT administration on several key issues, including the income ceiling for EWS beneficiaries, the application process, and the criteria for shortlisting applicants. In response, the administration acknowledged that while it has implemented EWS housing schemes in the past, no comprehensive policy currently exists to guide the process.

Although the UT has asked the MC to proceed with the land auction, the detailed policy regarding EWS allotment is yet to be finalised before the project’s completion.

The MC will be tasked with ensuring that 15 per cent of the flats are reserved for the EWS category, with further instructions to be provided once the policy framework is established.

The urban planning department of the Chandigarh Administration has already approved the layout and zoning plan for the project. The plan consists of five residential pockets, each allowing buildings to rise up to five storeys, supported by a floor area ratio (FAR) of 2. The development will also feature various amenities, including a shopping complex, green spaces, a playground, and reserved land for community use. Additionally, provisions have been made for essential services such as a school and the Nirankari Bhawan.

This auction follows a similar sale by the MC in 2006, when the corporation sold land for the construction of the JW Marriott Hotel in Sector 35. That project, which was also sold on a leasehold basis, fetched Rs 101.37 crore.