CHB gets 6K applications for 372 units of Sec 53 project

The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has received an overwhelming response to its demand survey for the proposed self-financing housing scheme in Sector 53 here, which was put on hold by the Administration in 2023.

According to officials, nearly 6,300 applications have been received so far. The survey, which started on February 22, concluded tonight. Nearly 1,000 applications were received for units specified for economically weaker sections (EWS) and the remaining were for HIG and MIG units, officials said, adding that nearly 70 per cent applications were received for HIG units.

The CHB was considering launching the scheme only after receiving adequate response from interested eligible persons as well as obtaining requisite approvals.

For taking part in the demand survey, an applicant had to deposit an amount of Rs 10,000 each for HIG and MIG units and Rs 5,000 for EWS units as confirmation of their interest in the scheme. The amount will be adjusted in the earnest money deposit (EMD) after the launch of the scheme.

In case the applicant decides not to participate further, the entire amount will be forfeited. If launched, the scheme will have 192 HIG units, 100 MIG houses and 80 units for economically weaker sections (EWS).

At a meeting held recently, officials made a presentation for the revival of the scheme before UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, who is also CHB chairman. Verma had asked the officials to conduct a fresh demand survey for the scheme. The board had conducted a similar survey in 2018 also.

After the demand survey, a final presentation will be made before Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.

After more than seven years, the CHB is considering resuming the stalled scheme. In August 2023, then UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit had put on hold the General Housing Scheme, deeming it unnecessary. This led to the cancellation of Rs 200 crore tenders issued on August 2, 2023, for the construction of 372 flats on nine acres.

Earlier, the board had revived the scheme, which was scrapped in 2018. The prices in the revived scheme were fixed at Rs1.65 crore for three-bedroom unit, Rs 1.40 crore for two-bedroom and Rs 55 lakh for two-bedroom (EWS) flat each. When the scheme was first introduced in 2018, the prices were considerably higher at Rs 1.8 crore, Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 95 lakh for the three categories, respectively. Only 178 applications were received for 492 flats available, after which the scheme was cancelled.

The last CHB scheme was floated in 2016 for 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector 51.