Sanjay Colony razed, admn reclaims Rs 250-crore land for development

Indian Express

24-04-2025

In a move aimed at making Chandigarh slum-free, the UT Administration Wednesday demolished Sanjay Colony, a slum cluster located in Industrial Area Phase-I.
Nearly 1,000 jhuggis were removed, and around 6 acres of prime government land, valued at approximately Rs 250 crore, were reclaimed during the four-hour operation, officials said.
Officials said the demolition was carried out by the Estate Office with the help of eight earth-moving machines and heavy police deployment, beginning at 7 am and concluding by 11 am. The site has now been handed over to the Engineering Department for future development.
'Originally surveyed in 2006 under the Chandigarh Small Flat Scheme, 242 eligible dwelling units were identified for rehabilitation.
However, in the following years, illegal encroachments multiplied on the land. Despite earlier attempts to clear the settlement in 2022, a stay by the Punjab and Haryana High Court had delayed action. The final go-ahead came in November 2024 after prolonged legal proceedings involving both the High Court and the Supreme Court,' an official said.
Meanwhile, the Administration had issued a one-week eviction notice to the colony's residents and conducted a special verification camp to assess their eligibility under the rehabilitation scheme.
While the demolition was conducted peacefully, many residents were left distraught. Several claimed they had valid documents but were excluded from the Central Government's Affordable Rental Housing scheme. With nowhere to go, some expressed fear of being forced onto pavements.
Adeeb Ahmad, a daily wager, who had lived in the colony for the past two decades, said that he had documents which would verify his legality for being considered under the housing scheme, but received no response from the Administration. He said that he would now have to shift to a rented accommodation in Hallomajra, further reducing his already limited income.
Sunita, a resident of Sanjay Colony accused politicians of making empty promises and failing to ensure proper housing for the poor. This is the latest in a series of demolitions carried out by the UT Administration aimed at clearing encroachments on public land.
In May 2022, Colony No. 4 was razed to reclaim 65 acres, though that land remains undeveloped.
The Administration now plans a similar demolition in Janta Colony, Sector 25 — home to over 10,000 people — next week. That land, spanning 10 acres, is estimated to be worth around Rs 350 crore and has been earmarked for community development projects, including a dispensary, school and shopping area.