City’s costliest housing scheme put on hold

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

The CHB will conduct a demand survey before launching a new housing scheme for the general public in Sector 53.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors held here today. Prem Kaushik, a member of the board, raised the issue of exorbitant prices of flats under the scheme.

Kaushik said not many people could afford the scheme due to the high cost. As per the brochure of the scheme placed for approval before the board, the CHB has fixed a price of Rs 1.79,91,000 for a three-bedroom (BHK) flat, Rs 1,47,08,000 for a two BHK flat, Rs 94,67,000 for a one BHK flat and Rs 50,11,000 for a one BHK (EWS) flat. The new prices proposed by the CHB are the highest in the tricity.

While CHB officials justified the high rates saying that the tentative figures had been calculated on the basis of the approved cost of the land (Rs 74,131 per sq yard), the members said there was no point in launching the scheme, which might not be succeed due to the high cost.

Kaushik also raised the issue of high prices of flats under the UT employees’ scheme and demanded that it be sent for reconsideration to the MHA, but board members cited court cases for not taking any decision on the matter. The board has also decided to fill vacant posts in the CHB. More than 100 posts of various categories will be filled by way of direct recruitment.