Chandigarh: In one of the most far-reaching urban planning shifts in a decade, the Chandigarh administration has finalised major amendments to the city’s master plan, paving the way for transformative changes in land use, building norms and development controls across key zones.The proposals — to be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for approval — include allowing plotted development in the Chandigarh IT Park, mixed-land use in the Sector 43 City Centre, up to five floors with stilt parking on municipal corporation land in Manimajra, and major relaxations for industrial areas Phases I and II. Planning concessions for commercial establishments and educational institutions are also part of the overhaul.Officials said the push aligns with the Centre’s focus on optimising land use in a city grappling with rapid population growth and shrinking availability of developable land. Large tracts under the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) in the IT Park are expected to be unlocked. “In addition to the existing permission for the development of flats, the provision for plotted development will also be added,” said a senior UT official.CHB plans for multi-storey residential projects hit the environmental clearance wall in 2022. The National Board of Wildlife (NBW) rejected the proposal for the multi-storey housing project as it fell in the “migratory bird path”. The NBW also reasoned that the waste generated, along with the noise and air pollution arising as a result of allied activities in the proposed townships, would have deleterious effects on the sanctuary and birds.“The CHB plan was to construct 700 flats on around 16.6 acres of land in two pockets, plots 1 and 2 at IT Park. Now, the CHB plans to have around 400 plots in the area. For this, master plan changes are required,” said the official.Changes in the master plan itself will be made for allowing floor area ratio (FAR) of 2 and up to five floors with stilt parking on MC land in Manimajra. Earlier, there was major controversy over the permitted FAR and layout plans. Residential projects are planned to be developed on a 7.7-acre plot in Manimajra.The CMP will also see changes for permitting a FAR of 2 for the Industrial Area phases I and II for all categories of plots. Further relaxations regarding the mandated coverage area and open areas are proposed to be incorporated. Also, proposals to allow nearly double the coverage area than existing for the labour housing within the industrial plots (from 2.5% to 5%) are also being proposed, though the caveat is that no separate dwelling units can be constructed in this area.This move comes amid a strong push from the central govt to advance “Deregulation 2.0”, which seeks to ease regulatory barriers, enhance ease of doing business, and promote more efficient land utilisation in a city facing rapid population growth and acute land scarcity.“These measures are designed to boost industrial activity, support educational and residential development, and unlock stalled projects in a city originally planned for 5 lakh residents but now grappling with over 12 lakh people and heavy reliance on rental housing,” said the official.The CMP-2031 was notified in April 2015 after a draft process that began in July 2013. It has remained largely unchanged for over a decade, with courts repeatedly upholding its role in guiding development while protecting the city’s unique Le Corbusier-inspired heritage and planned character.According to the administration, a draft proposal for the amendments will first be placed in the public domain. Stakeholders, residents and the general public will have the opportunity to examine the changes, submit suggestions and raise objections. The proposal will also undergo scrutiny by a select committee of experts before being forwarded to the MHA for final approval. “The draft proposal will be put in public domain after the nod from the competent authority,” said the official.Centre Pushing For Deregulation 2.0KEY PROPOSALSPlotted development allowed in Chandigarh IT ParkMixed-land use permitted in Sector 43 City CentreUp to five floors with stilt parking on MC land in ManimajraMajor relaxations for Industrial Area Phases I & IIPlanning concessions for commercial and educational usesIT PARK SHIFTCHB land to allow plotted development in addition to flatsEarlier plan for 700 flats rejected by NBWL in 2022Now around 400 residential plots proposedChange needed due to migratory bird path concernsMANIMAJRA PLANFAR of 2 proposed on MC residential landUp to five floors with stilt parking allowedProject covers 7.7 acresRevisits earlier FAR and layout disputesINDUSTRIAL AREA RELAXATIONSFAR of 2 for all plots in Phases I & IIReduced open-space norms proposedLabour housing coverage to rise from 2.5% to 5%No separate dwelling units permittedWHY NOWPart of Centre’s push under ‘Deregulation 2.0′Aim to ease regulations, boost ease of doing businessCity planned for 5 lakh now houses over 12 lakh residentsAcute land scarcity and rental housing pressureUnchanged CMPThe CMP-2031 was notified in April 2015 after a draft process that began in July 2013. It has remained largely unchanged for over a decade, with courts repeatedly upholding its role in guiding development while protecting the city’s unique Le Corbusier-inspired heritage and planned character.“These measures are designed to boost industrial activity, support educational and residential growth, and address the needs of a city planned for 5 lakh residents but now housing over 12 lakh people,”An official
