Encroachment watch: Post-slum cleanup, UT shifts focus to periphery

Time of India

10-07-2025

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Chandigarh: After reclaiming vast stretches of government land from slums nestled within the city's sectoral grid, the Chandigarh administration is now shifting its gaze outward — to the city's vulnerable periphery, where unauthorized constructions continue to mushroom.
Determined not to let hard-won gains slip away, the UT estate office has launched a robust crackdown strategy. Deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Nishant Kumar Yadav announced a fortified enforcement mechanism, complete with additional manpower and a system to hold officials personally accountable for any lapses.
"We've cleared the sectoral grids through multiple anti-encroachment drives last year.
Now, our focus is on prevention," Yadav said. "We've increased the number of junior engineers to 12, with seven sourced from the Chandigarh Housing Board. Additionally, 10 new patwaris have been hired on contract to monitor villages under the Periphery Act."
The plan is simple but strict: boots on the ground, eyes wide open. Officials will conduct regular inspections and submit monthly certificates affirming that no new encroachments have occurred in their jurisdiction.
Any breach will trigger disciplinary action.
Interestingly, this isn't the administration's first attempt at tech-driven vigilance. A few years ago, an ambitious plan was floated to use high-resolution satellite imagery and GIS technology to detect land-use changes. The system promised automated alerts, fortnightly reports, a control room, and even a mobile app. But despite its futuristic promise, the project fizzled out before it could take flight.
Now, the administration is returning to basics — physical inspections and human accountability.
Across 11 villages, only 229 acres are legally designated for habitation, while 254 acres have been encroached upon, often in blatant violation of the Periphery Act.
"Of the total area of 6,334 acres of villages - Khuda Ali Sher, Khuda Jassu, Khuda Lahora, Sarangpur, Dhanas, Behlana, Raipur Khurd, Daria, Mauli Jagran, Kaimbwala, and Raipur Kalan, 125 acres fall under the abadi deh and 104 acres under extended abadi. Unauthorized construction beyond Lal Dora is to the tune of 254 acres," states the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. Village Daria, which has 4 acres under abadi deh, has 102 acres of unauthorized construction around it.