Chandigarh Administration orders structural audit of old, dilapidated buildings

Chandigarh has finally moved to confront the growing threat posed by unsafe buildings across the city, many of which have already shown dangerous signs of decay.

In an order issued by Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Nishant Kumar Yadav, the UT Administration has constituted a high-level committee to conduct a structural audit of old and dilapidated structures amid rising concerns over collapsing roofs, falling balconies and other hazards that have endangered lives in recent years.

The urgency of the step was underscored earlier this year when a three-storey building came crashing down in the heart of Sector 17 in January, sending shockwaves through the city’s busiest commercial hub. Though the block was largely vacant, the collapse highlighted the grave risks posed by aging and neglected structures. In another case, a veranda roof caved in at a government school in 2022, injuring children, while Housing Board flats in Sectors 15, 22 and 30 have repeatedly shed balconies and plaster, damaging vehicles and keeping residents on edge.

Why the audit

Crumbling balconies and peeling of plaster in Housing Board flats across Sectors 15, 22, 30

School roof collapse in 2022 left children injured

Market facades, ageing government quarters pose public hazard

Majority of city’s oldest structures built in 1950s-60s now beyond safe lifespan

The move comes after repeated incidents in Chandigarh where weak or unmaintained structures have given way, sometimes with serious consequences. Crumbling facades of old commercial blocks have also put shoppers and passersby at risk, highlighting the urgent need for systemic intervention.

The committee will be chaired by the Assistant Estate Officer-II and will include the Executive Engineer (Civil) from the office of the Chief Engineer, the Divisional Town Planner from the office of the Chief Architect and the senior Central designated inspector from the DC office. It will also draw expertise from technical institutions such as Punjab Engineering College and NITTTR to ensure rigorous scientific evaluation of Chandigarh’s aging built stock.

According to the order, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the panel’s scope of work covers receiving complaints and inputs from the public and government bodies, laying down clear criteria for selecting buildings to be assessed, finalising the mechanism for third-party structural audits and reviewing the reports. Once a building is found unsafe, the committee will refer the matter to the area Sub-Divisional Magistrate while simultaneously alerting the owner.

Experts say the city’s early residential and institutional buildings — many dating back to the 1950s and 60s — are nearing or have crossed their intended lifespan. Continuous exposure to the elements, poor maintenance and in some cases overloading due to unauthorised extensions or tenant density have further weakened their structural integrity.

“Chandigarh’s planning legacy is unmatched, but even the best designs need upkeep. Without timely audits and corrective steps, the risks multiply,” said Sunil Kumar, a senior engineer familiar with earlier surveys.

For residents, the Administration’s decision is both a relief and a worry. While many welcome the audit as a safety measure, others fear sudden eviction notices without rehabilitation support. “We agree safety matters, but the government should also spell out what happens if our flats are declared unsafe. Families cannot just be thrown out,” said Balbir Singh, a shopkeeper who lives in an old Housing Board block in Sector 30.

Urban planners argue that the audit must be accompanied by a roadmap for redevelopment and resettlement, or retrofitting of salvageable structures.

The Administration, however, maintains that the first priority is to establish a credible assessment of the city’s structural health. “This audit is the groundwork for any further policy measures. By involving experts and inviting public participation, we want to ensure transparency and safety,” Yadav told The Tribune.

The initiative marks a shift from piecemeal responses to a systematic and citywide strategy. For Chandigarh, a city that prides takes pride in its order and planning, the audit is being seen as a critical step towards protecting both its architectural legacy and its residents from avoidable tragedies.