Chandigarh cannot be crowded with housing projects, says Governor Purohit

He said, “The leftover land in the city is to be used for other projects besides housing and the city cannot be congested with just housing projects. Indeed, Chandigarh was originally planned for a population of 5 lakh people which is not almost 14 lakh. Indeed, housing projects in Chandigarh, especially Sector 53 Housing Project, which has been put on hold, is under serious consideration. It does not mean that we have abandoned the housing projects.

We want to allot housing projects on a priority basis. We decided to utilise the vacant land on the basis of requirements. Being a capital of two states of Punjab and Haryana, we need to accommodate projects of both the governments.”

Sector 53 Housing Scheme of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) consisting of a total 372 apartments were to come up for all income groups, including 192 three-BHK apartments, 100 two-BHK and 48 units in the EWS category. Though the scheme was originally planned six years ago, it was put on hold at the last moment when the final brochure was ready, and tenders for the projects were on the anvil.

Purohit said that almost 75 per cent (Rs 4,625 crore) of the allotted budget (Rs 6,087 cr) has been spent on various development projects during the ongoing financial year-2023-24.

Talking to media persons, Purohit said, “I am committed towards the Metro project. The development projects in Chandigarh have nothing to do with upcoming parliamentary elections. We want to make Chandigarh a hub of health and education.”

He said, “A total of 12.21 per cent of the budget was spent on the police department, 18.11 per cent on education, 14 per cent on urban housing, 15.83 per cent on green energy, and 10.87 per cent on the health sector.”

Responding to the question about need-based changes in Chandigarh, the Administrator said, “I am not rigid. I have liberal approach towards the changes made by people in the houses constructed by CHB dwelling units. I am positively reviewing these changes. I appeal to the general public not to indulge in further violations.”

Prominent among those present were Adviser Nitin Kumar Yadav, DC Vinay Pratap Singh, DGP Praveer Ranjan, and Director Public Relations Rajeev Tewari.