The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has finally initiated repairs at the Dhanas rehabilitation colony after 11 years of neglect. The board will allocate INR 71 lakh to restore common areas, including columns, beams, and roofing. The colony, which houses over 25,000 residents in 8,448 flats, had seen severe deterioration since its creation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Under pressure from residents, the CHB has begun surveying additional rehabilitation colonies for similar repairs, funded by a newly established revolving fund. The repairs should significantly improve residents' living conditions.
After an 11-year delay, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has finally taken steps to address the deteriorating condition of the Dhanas rehabilitation colony. The CHB has initiated the process of awarding a contract for repair work, estimated to cost around INR 71 lakh. This comprehensive repair will focus on restoring column beams, fixing damaged flooring, and replacing dismantled plaster in the common areas of the buildings, including the roof. After demolishing several slum clusters, authorities allocated 8,448 flats in Dhanas colony to slum dwellers under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Today, more than 25,000 residents live in the colony. Over the past decade, the condition of both the individual flats and the shared spaces has significantly deteriorated. Local residents have voiced their concerns over the crumbling infrastructure, with cement peeling off pillars, deteriorating staircases, and visible structural damage leading to fears that the buildings might collapse at any moment. Despite the residents' ongoing appeals, the CHB had long been reluctant to address these issues.
It wasn't until last year, after mounting pressure from the community, that the CHB finally agreed to take up the repair work in the common areas. The initial attempt to find a contractor failed due to a lack of bidders, and even the second attempt saw limited participation, preventing the tenders from being allotted. However, in the latest round, the CHB has decided to move forward with the sole firm that submitted a bid, thus ensuring that the much-needed repairs will commence.
The CHB's commitment to improving living conditions extends beyond Dhanas. The board is also planning repairs for other rehabilitation colonies. Surveys have already begun in several areas, and some projects have completed this initial phase. According to officials, CHB teams are currently visiting different colonies to assess the damage in common areas. After completing these surveys, they will prepare cost estimates and issue tenders for the necessary repairs in other colonies. The CHB will finance this repair work through a revolving fund.
In addition to Dhanas, the CHB has constructed 17,696 flats in other locations, including Maloya, Vikas Nagar Part-2, Sector-38 West, Ram Darbar, and Sector-49C. The CHB allotted these small flats 14 years ago, and the need for repairs has become increasingly urgent. Despite owning the properties and collecting rent from residents, the CHB had previously refused to conduct repairs, citing a lack of provisions for maintaining small flats. Persistent demands from residents led the UT adviser to address the issue.
Consequently, the authorities decided to establish a revolving fund for repairing common areas and allocated approximately INR 2 crore for this work. The board's initiatives mark a significant step towards improving living conditions in the rehabilitation colonies. As a result, the long-neglected repairs are finally underway, and residents can expect much-needed improvements in their living conditions.
In conclusion, The Chandigarh Housing Board has finally allocated INR 71 lakh to repair the deteriorating Dhanas rehabilitation colony after 11 years of neglect. The board is also surveying other colonies for similar repairs, funded by a new revolving fund, to improve living conditions for thousands of residents.
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