Munieshwer.SagarChandigarh: In a bid to protect the industrial character of the city, Chandigarh administration will not allow business-to-consumer (B2C) activities in Industrial Areas Phases I and II under the proposed amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031.This is in line with recommendations of the expert committee under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner/estate officer, UT. The committee was constituted on the directions of the UT administrator to examine priority areas under the Deregulation agenda.The recommendations, aimed at maximising land utilisation, allow for additional industrial and service sector activities in these zones — but strictly limit them to business-to-business (B2B) operations. Direct customer-facing businesses will remain prohibited.According to the committee’s report, Chandigarh’s dedicated Industrial Areas (Phases I, II, and III) account for just 1,410 acres — approximately 4.8% of the city’s total area. This is at the lower end of international benchmarks, where global cities typically allocate 5% to 15% of urban land for industrial purposes. The committee noted that 7% to 8% is ideally required for balanced urban development.While Industrial Areas Phase I and II are fully developed with complete trunk infrastructure, the Conversion Policy of 2005 has led to a gradual shift of some plots toward commercial use, eroding their original industrial character. To counter this, the committee has recommended expanding permissible activities in these phases, including IT/ITES, warehousing, testing labs, and certain backend services — all while enforcing a strict ban on B2C operations.In contrast, the committee has suggested a significant shift for Industrial Area, Phase III. Out of the 153-acre zone, 60 acres currently earmarked for warehousing and related uses will be developed as a Mixed Land Use Area, incorporating residential, commercial, institutional, cultural, and recreational components. This move aligns with the Centre’s Deregulation 1.0 reforms while preserving the overall industrial identity of the city.The committee emphasised that Chandigarh’s neighbourhood planning concept already provides ample commercial spaces in every sector, making dedicated industrial zones essential for maintaining economic balance.BOX: Activities in Industrial AreaChandigarh notified its Industrial Policy 2015 and subsequently issued an amendment to the policy in 2019. As per Chapter 5 of Chandigarh Industrial Policy 2015, activities relating to IT/electronics/software/hardware, ITES units and technology and research units (as mentioned at Annexure C) were allowed.Box: Activities allowed after 2019 amendmentBooster station with respect to IT/ITESWarehousing Facilities for general items, industrial goods, white goods, medical/surgical goodsAll types of authorised service centres related to industry – strictly for business to business (B2B)Engineering/industrial/structural testing labsAudio-visual recording studios for social media (for photo labs/film labs only)Documentation centres for industrial designing and printingCAD/CAM design workshop (for pattern-like drawing for industries only Photoshop)No security management services (for backend services and equipment store only)Display by manufacturers of furniture, electrical goods, auto parts, welding equipment, and apparels as demonstration from the front portion of the buildingBase kitchen for restaurants and outdoor caterers, without opening a dine-in/takeaway/online restaurant subject to pollution control and environmental normsOverall, no activity involving direct service to customers is allowed as per the Chandigarh Industrial Policy 2015, Amendment 2019 and Chandigarh Master Plan 2031.
