Latest news with #ChandigarhMasterPlan2031
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Up Next: Ride-Easy Plan To Decongest NH-5
Chandigarh: In a bid to address growing traffic congestion on National Highway 5 (NH-5), the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has invited bids to appoint a consultant for detailed study of a 4.5-kilometre stretch from Hallomajra Roundabout to the Chandigarh boundary in Zirakpur. This initiative marks the second phase of the central government's efforts to decongest one of the busiest corridors in the region. The ministry has informed the Chandigarh administration about invitation of bids to hire a consultant. Sources said that the selected consultant will also advice the ministry on the most suitable method of easing traffic on the 4.5-kilometre stretch. Such measures could include a flyover or underpass. Besides, heritage considerations will also have to be kept in mind. "We have received information that the ministry of road transport and highways has started the process of hiring the consultant by inviting bids for the plan to decongest NH 5 till the Zirakpur boundary from Hallomajra or Poultry Farm roundabout. The Chandigarh administration will provide support to the consultant as per requirement. Information about the exact time frame of the study and DPR is yet to be received but it seems that after allotment of work, it may take six to eight months to complete the exercise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why This $30 Non-Invasive Glucose Monitor Is Flying Off the Shelves ZAKDAVI Undo The report will be submitted to the ministry for a decision. The study will not be confined to a flyover but will also assess the possibility of an underpass," a senior official of the Chandigarh administration told TOI. Experts believe that approval of the Rs 240 crore flyover at sectors 29/31/Industrial Area Phase 1 and Phase 2 will ease traffic at Hallomajra or Poultry Farm roundabout. The exercise to decongest traffic from Hallomajra or Poultry Farm roundabout to the Punjab border will come as additional relief for commuters. Box: Heritage considerations Since the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 does not recommend bridges and flyovers in the city due to heritage considerations, sources in the Chandigarh administration said that the consultant will have to keep this aspect in mind while preparing the DPR to ease traffic till the end of the Chandigarh boundary. "Approval for the Rs 240 crore flyover was delayed repeatedly in past. In the second phase exercise, the ministry and Chandigarh administration will have to keep all aspects in mind while planning any flyover or underpass to decongest traffic till the Chandigarh boundary," sources said. Box: In 2018, the Chandigarh administration conducted a detailed traffic survey at both Dakshin Marg and Purv Marg with the exact Passenger Car Unit component. The administration has now come up with new figures by adding a 5% per year growth rate in traffic since the 2018 survey. The details are as follows: Location------------Survey Date-------------PCU-----------Year-------------------------------PCU Dakshin Marg----17 to 23 Feb 2018------1,09453-------2025 (5% growth per year)-----1,54011 Purv Marg---------17 to 23 Feb 2018------73,569 -------2025 (5% growth per year)------1,03519 Box: Peak hour traffic at Sector 29/31/Industrial Area Phase 1/Phase 2 roundabout: 12,510 per hour MSID:: 123076545 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Encroachment watch: Post-slum cleanup, UT shifts focus to periphery
1 2 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.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chandigarh's housing crunch: A city running out of room and time
1 2 Chandigarh: Once envisioned as a city of gardens and geometric precision, Chandigarh now finds itself grappling with a problem its planners never anticipated — a severe housing crunch. With just 600 acres left for residential development out of a sprawling 28,170-acre master plan, the dream of owning a home in this modernist marvel is slipping further out of reach. The last housing scheme for the general public was launched in 2016. Since then, the city's skyline has remained largely unchanged, while its population has surged past 13 lakh, nearly triple the number it was originally designed to accommodate. And now, even the little land that remains is being eyed for government housing. The administration plans to build 500 new houses for government employees, further shrinking the already limited space available for the general public. Housing, it seems, is no longer a priority—caught in a web of bureaucratic indecision and policy flip-flops. Demand rising, space shrinking The pressure is visible everywhere — from skyrocketing market prices to the recent collector rate hike. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo Sectoral grid rates have doubled, while village rates have tripled or even quadrupled. Yet, the market prices continue to soar beyond these benchmarks, underscoring the unrelenting demand. Take the Chandigarh Housing Board's proposed Sector 53 self-financing scheme. For just 372 flats, the board received over 7,500 applications — a staggering 20 applicants per unit. The numbers speak volumes: the city is desperate for homes. Limited land chunks for housing According to the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031, out of the total 28,170 acres, 10,672 acres are marked for residential use. Most of this has already been developed, leaving only about 400 acres available. Another 200 acres has been proposed for new residential development. The remaining land is in Phase III sectors, village areas, and IT Park. Officials have identified 32 acres in Dhanas, 30 acres in Sarangpur, and 100 acres in Manimajra as available for housing. Smaller land parcels are also available in Maloya, though most of its residential land has been used for rehabilitation colonies. In Phase II, 92 acres remain available. Around 215 acres in various sectors have been allotted to the Chandigarh Housing Board but are yet to be developed. Also, 146 acres in Phase III sectors have been earmarked for high-density housing, with plans for four to six storey flats and a gross density of 100 persons per acre. BOX: Residential Component of Land Use Sectoral Grid Phase I (sectors 1 to 30) | 42% Phase II (31 to 47) | 67% Phase III (48 and above) | 75% Periphery Residential | 17% BOX: City's Housing Pattern About 70% of Chandigarh's housing consists of private constructions on government-allotted land. The rest is mainly built by the CHB. Nearly one-third of private plots are one kanal or larger, and these account for over two-thirds of the total area allocated for private residential plots in the original master plan. The city's housing density has changed over time. Phase I had low-density development with plot sizes ranging from 5 marla to 8 kanal. Phase II introduced higher density with three to four storey flats, and the largest plot size reduced to 2 kanals. Phase III is reserved only for high-density multi-storey apartments, with no individual plots planned.
