Chandigarh: Government houses near Punjab Raj Bhawan give building bylaws the go-by

Dushyant Singh Pundir

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Chandigarh, July 12

In violation of building bylaws, the backyards of several government houses in Sector 7, opposite the Punjab Raj Bhawan, have gates which open right on to the cycle track. A few houses, which have been allotted under the Raj Bhawan pool, have small gates for pedestrian access as well as large ones for vehicle entry.

The Chandigarh Administration’s handbook, “Suvidha”, clearly prohibits the construction of gates on the V-3 and V-4 roads, public open spaces and reserved areas.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Vinay Pratap Singh confirmed that these gates obstruct public pathways and violate building bylaws. He said action would be taken against violators as per regulations. “Constructing a gate or providing a water outlet on a cycle track or public passage is not allowed under estate rules. Notices are issued to allottees. They are asked to remove such violations within 15 days, failing which a fine is imposed based on the area of violation,” said the Deputy Commissioner. Regardless of the type of accommodation, be it government or residential, such violations are strictly prohibited. The UT Administration has constructed cycle tracks in almost all sectors of the city, and unauthorised gates opening on to these tracks hinder public movement.

In March 2022, the UT Estate Office had conducted a survey of all houses that have gates that open on to the V-2 and V-3 roads and issued notices of resumption or cancellation of allotment to the owners. Over the past nearly two years, around 475 gates have been removed in parts of the city, said the Deputy Commissioner.

Social activist RK Garg highlighted that despite a drive in March 2022 to close the rear gates opening on to cycle tracks, violations persist, even in the vicinity of the Raj Bhawan. This issue underscores the need for a stricter enforcement of building bylaws in government houses allotted to officials.