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The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to relaunch its Sector 53 housing scheme with a fresh demand survey to assess buyer interest. Initially planned in 2018, the project faced setbacks due to high prices, with flats ranging from INR 86 lakh to INR 1.5 crore. Previous revisions, including increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and modifying unit distribution, failed to gain traction. After multiple rejections and redesigns, the board aims to address affordability concerns and attract buyers. The new survey will help shape the project's feasibility and potential adjustments to ensure its success.
The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to revive its long-delayed Sector 53 housing scheme by initiating a fresh demand survey for the project. This decision was made during a board meeting chaired by UT Chief Secretary and CHB Chairman Rajeev Verma. Advertisement
The Sector 53 housing scheme, initially planned in 2018, has faced repeated delays and revisions over the years. This marks the third time the CHB is revisiting the self-financing project, which is intended to be developed on a nine-acre plot in Chandigarh. Despite efforts, the scheme has struggled to gain traction among potential buyers due to the high cost of the proposed housing units.
In 2018, the project was stalled after a demand survey revealed lukewarm interest. Out of the 492 planned flats, only 178 applications were received. The steep prices were cited as a key deterrent, with one-bedroom flats priced at INR 86 lakh, two-bedroom units at INR 1.28 crore, and three-bedroom units at INR 1.5 crore. As a result, the CHB scrapped the scheme in March 2020 but began exploring ways to make it more affordable.
To reduce costs and increase affordability, the CHB proposed revising key parameters of the project, such as increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 1.5 to 2, the housing density from 250 to 350 people per acre, and the height of buildings from G+5 to G+6. These proposed changes were based on the pattern of a nearby housing scheme for UT employees in Sector 53. However, the UT Urban Planning Department rejected these requests in 2020, leaving the project in limbo.
In 2022, the CHB made another attempt to revive the scheme, this time by excluding plans for 100 one-bedroom flats and redesigning the project to offer 372 flats across three categories: 192 three-bedroom units, 100 two-bedroom units, and 80 two-bedroom flats for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The updated pricing was set at INR 1.65 crore for three-bedroom flats, INR 1.40 crore for two-bedroom flats, and INR 55 lakh for EWS units.
Despite these adjustments, the project was again halted last year when it was rejected by then UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit. Recently, however, the administration revisited its stance, leading to Friday's presentation and subsequent decision to conduct a fresh demand survey.
The CHB has emphasised that increasing the FAR and offering more spacious and affordable units will be critical to attracting buyers and ensuring the scheme's success.
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